I just posted a new blog on this rich green color gem that everybody is wondering about and trying to purchase. I've tried to be as informative as possible in explaining what Russian Chrome Diopside is and Where it Comes From. Here is the link to by blog:
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/blog_post/MaggieMays/6254
Here is the story behind Russian Chrome Diopside (feel free to comment):
Russian Chrome Diopside - What Is It? Where Does It Come From?
Published On: 01-22-2012 06:33pm
Comments: 0 - Hits: 44
Category: Gemstone Jargon
What is this green gemstone that everyone is calling
"Russian Chrome Diopside"! Why are so many people trying to purchase it and for what reason? I'm going to try and explain this wonderful green gem.
Then, in 1988, rumors of a momentous new green gem from Russia started
circulating in the trade. Dealers who saw this material when it first
surfaced in Europe raved about the resemblance of its color to that of
tsavorite and chrome tourmaline and raved as much about its price: only a
fraction of these gems. After the wall fell and dealers began exploring
the new possibilities for marketing Russian gems, the rush was on.
Since then,
Chrome diopside
has been granted class one export status among Russia's mineral
resources, a ranking that includes Diamond, Emerald, and Alexandrite.
Chrome Diopside Mines are found near kimberlite shafts near the mountains in Siberia. The mining of
Chrome Diopside
can be very tough to do. In sub-zero temperatures, a man's strength is
diminished greatly. That is one reason why it is only mined three months
out of the year, July - August.
Chrome Diopside forms in basic and ultrabasic igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Most
Chrome Diopside
is mined in a remote area in Eastern Siberia known as Inagli, which is
in the state of Sakha. The area is better known for its impressive
diamond deposits. In Siberia, there isn't much green to admire for most
of the year. Perhaps in compensation, nature placed rich deposits of a
vivid green chrome diopside in this snowy region to delight the eye
during the long and hard winter months. This challenging landscape is
home to the world's major deposit of chrome diopside.
Many gem names are taken from the French language - but you'll notice
that the name Chrome Diopside is not nearly as beautiful as some other
gem names - however, don't let that fool you because this gem is
incredible. Chrome diopside glows with green. In fact, when its color is less than
ideal it tends to be from too much green rather than too little. This is
more likely to happen in sizes above two carats: the green can be so
dark it can look black.
Chrome Diopside
makes an excellent substitute for other green gemstones, mainly Emerald
and Tsavorite, as it exhibits a similar color at a fraction of the
cost. In fact, Chrome Diopside is the most affordable of all the rich
green colored gemstones. Chrome Diopside is not treated. Unlike most other gems, which are
heated, irradiated or oiled - there is absolutely
NO treatment given to Chrome Diopside.
Chrome Diopside is a beautiful green stone. It is highly refractive
which gives it great sparkle (nearly twice the refraction index compared
to emerald).
It is rare! Diopside is found all over the planet, but the
rare top-gem-quality chrome diopside is found in Siberia. In Siberia,
it is too cold to mine during the winter, making an extra task of
keeping production levels even throughout the year. On the MOHS scale of
hardness, it is rated a 6-6.5, and is suitable for jewelry.
It is best
to cut the diopside in shapes with rounded corners -- such as oval or
round. It has two planes, so you have to be extra careful when you facet
it. This is also why
there is
approximately 90% loss on the rough. (So to cut 10 carats of polished
Chrome Diopside will require 100 carats of the rough.)
A
faceted cut with
shallow angles is needed to improve both the brilliance and the color
of the stone, particularly in larger sizes where the color can appear
too dark. Popular cuts for chrome diopside include
oval,
cushion,
emerald cut (octagon), and
rounds. Chrome Diopside is also occasionally cut into
cabochons.
The best shape to cut chrome diopside in is oval, and round. Anything
with a rounded edge is easier and provides a better return on the rough.
However, due to demands in the jewelry industry, it is cut into all
shapes; but remember some may be darker than others.
But chrome diopside in small sizes jumps with vivid, fresh green color
and sparkles with brilliance. It is the most affordable gemstone with a
pure rich green color. It's availability makes it the perfect green gem
for stud earrings and pendants.
Here is a pair of stud earrings that show a beautiful and rich color of green.
Here is a 1.50 carat chrome diopside gemstone:
Here is a 14 carat chrome diopside in which you will see how much darker it is compared to the 2 carat:
Chrome Diopside is in the pyroxene group of minerals, and has PRISMATIC
CLEAVAGE, which means the angles of cleavage are 87 degrees and 93
degrees (almost perpendicular). This makes it a very difficult gem to
facet. But at the same time, it has about twice the refraction of an
emerald, giving it a brilliant sparkle.
Chrome Diopside being an all natural untreated gemstone with no heat, no
radiation, no diffusion and no oils are used. This makes Chrome Diopside
the most pure semi-precious gem available.
Mythology of Chrome Diopside
The name Diopside is derived from the Greek word 'di' meaning two, and 'opsis', meaning vision.
Diopside is believed to be a creative stone, increasing creative
visualization and helping to manifest desired goals. It has also been
said that it can improve the wearer's intellect, particularly with
regards to mathematical and analytical abilities. In addition to this,
Diopside is believed to alleviate aggression and stubbornness, and is
said to be related to love, commitment, and the inner heart.
Chrome
Diopside is believed to protect the wearer from all the evil and bad
memories. It is even associated with healing of a few chronic diseases.
Physically, Diopside is believed to heal the heart, lungs, and the
circulatory system. It is also believed to aid with psychological
disorders and weaknesses.
I know this is a lot of information to
take in all at once; but I hope this gives you some clarification on
this wonderful green gemstone.
Think of it this way:
Consider
a garden: bright colors, pastels of the flowers and how beautiful they
look against the rich green
foliage. Perhaps this is why the rich green of chrome diopside can be
worn with anything from casual day wear to elegant evening attire.
MaggieMays Fine Jewelry
