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Diopside

Introduction
 

	Diopside is a Calcium Magnesium Silicate found in metamorphosed impure limestone, meteorites and igneous basalts.
	Diopside was named in 1800 from the Greek word “Dis” meaning double and “Opsis” meaning vision, in reference to the Pleochroism (i.e. different colors are displayed when viewed from different angles) found in its prismatic form.
	Diopside has been previously named Schefferite, White Schefferite and Zinc-Schefferite.

Diopside is also called the “Crying Gemstone”, because it is believed by crystal healers to heal trauma, by bringing forth cleansing tears.
 

Diopside is believed to bring creativity to the wearer and is said to be related to love and commitment. Physically, crystal healers believe Diopside can benefit the heart, lungs and circulation.
 

Diopside is the Magnesium rich member of the “Monoclinic-Pyroxene Series” that occurs when ions (and Magnesium) freely substitute each other.
 

Diopside crystals have a perfect cleavage in two directions, are often twinned and are short and columnar, but with an uneven fracture. Mineralogists easily recognize Diopside in the field by its crystals, its color, its fracture, its cleavage and its white or white-green streak.
 

Diopside is typically white, blue, purple, brown, green, colorless and gray with a glassy luster. The less common shades are yellowish brown and greenish brown.
 

Varieties of Diopside include “Russian Diopside” (a Chromium-rich Diopside known for its deep green color), “Violan” (a rare blue variety found in Italy), “Cat’s Eye Diopside” (green with the effect due to inclusions of Rutile needles), “Malacolite” (a white colored variety), “Salaite” (an Iron variety), “Dekalbite” (an Iron free variety) and “Star Diopside” (a star with four rays).
 

Gem quality Diopsides are mined in Siberia (Russia), Italy, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Madagascar, South Africa and Pakistan. Uzbekistan, located between Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, is becoming an important locality for a variety of Russian Diopside called Tashmarine. This variety has a slightly lower Chromium content than the Siberian material, a less saturated color and can display gray or brown tones. India has the largest deposits of phenomenal Diopsides such as Cat’s Eye or Star Diopsides. The color of African Diopside tends to be a more yellowish color similar to Peridot.
 

Colored by Chromium, Russian Diopside is also known as Chrome Diopside. While there is little historical information regarding this rare gem type, some claim it is beneficial for health, relationships, spirituality and financial success.
 

One major reason Russian Diopside has been overlooked is that it has only recently become available in sizable commercial quantities. Interestingly, a company recently trademarked the name “Vertelite” for Russian Diopside. The name was created from “Verte” the Latin root word for green and “Lite” the Latin root word for tone.
 

Russian Diopside is mostly mined in Yakutia, Siberia. Yakutia territory is located in the extreme North of Asia and is considered the coldest place in the Northern hemisphere. Mining is limited due to cold winters lasting for nine months; hence this gem is very seasonal and it has been difficult to maintain a steady supply.
 

Interestingly, Yakutia is also the source of 99% of all Russian Diamonds. Russian Diopside, which is a Diamond mine indicator mineral, is sometimes found as an inclusion inside gem quality Diamonds.