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Color:
A beautiful deep green as shown by the rough crystal above
is the most often seen faceted version of this gemstone. Diopside
also offers a classic four rayed star stone that is very much
like a black star sapphire...with the exception that the sapphire
will have a 6 rayed star.
Clarity:
Transparent
to Opaque
Optic Character: DR
Biaxial positive, AGG
Cause
of Color: Fe
in most green and brown stones; Cr in some green stones; Violane:
Mn
Fluorescence: Green
stones can fluoresce with LW; others Inert
Fracture
:
Concoidal to
uneven
Luster
:
Vitreous
to resinous
Cleavage : Two
direction; perfect
Durability:
Poor
Characteristics
for Identification:
In
star stones: 4 rays
Localities:
India, South Africa, Finland ,Burma, Madagascar and Italy
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Diopside
CaMg(Si2O6)
a calcium magnesium silicate
Diopside
is a calcium magnesium silicate that crystallizes from magmas.
It is usually a fairly uninteresting component of igneous
rocks, but there are a few varieties that have gemological
merit. The first is a chatoyant (cat's-eye effect) variety.
Occasionally, stones have been found that are chatoyant
in two directions forming a four pointed star. Ancient civilizations
believed that star stones housed living spirits who
were looking at you through those stars. My favorite examples
of diopside are chrome bearing stones which are vibrant
green and transparent. These are found in Russia and East
Africa. There is another variety, termed violane, that is
bluish violet, used for beads and inlay work.
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