Diopside

Gemstone : Diopside Birthstone Month : Diopside is associated with the birthstone month of March. Zodiac : Diopside is associated with the zodiac sign of Pisces. Chemical Symbol : CaMg(Si2O6) Chemical Make-up : Diopside is a Calcium Magnesium Silicate and owes its color to either Chromium or Iron. History & Lore : 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 Diopside 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. Physically, Diopside is believed to heal the heart, lungs, and the circulatory system. It is also believed to aid with curing psychological disorders and weaknesses. Availability : Diopside is a relatively rare gem species that is priced modestly.

Sources : There are known deposits of Diopside in Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, India, Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar (Burma), Pakistan, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka (Ceylon), and the United States. Evaluation : Diopside is rated at 5.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness and though it is suitable for jewelry purposes, care should be taken with this stone for it is relatively soft and brittle. Diopside is most often bottle-green in color, though it can be found colorless, brown, black, violet-green, and blue colors. The two most well-known varieties of Diopside are the emerald-green like Chrome Diopside and the Black Star Diopside. Chrome Diopside offers a beautiful rich green color at low cost, in fact, it is the most affordable of the pure rich-green colored gemstones. It is most readily available in small sizes as the color becomes too dark in larger sizes. Black Star Diopside is black in color with occasional shades of green, and exhibits a star like phenomenon known as Asterism. These stones contain inclusions in the form of needles that align to produce a white 4-rayed star. It is unique in this sense because it is the only gemstone to exhibit a 4-rayed star. There is also a rare blue variety of Diopside, known as Violane that is found in some localities in Italy. The value of Diopside will depend on the variety chosen. Eye-clean Chrome Diopsides exhibiting a rich, even green color will be at the higher end of the value spectrum. The value of Black Star Diopside is judged primarily by taking into account the sharpness of the displayed star. Common Cuts : Chrome Diopside is the variety most often seen faceted, whereas Violane is generally used for beads and inlay work. Black Star Diopside are cut into Cabochons, the only shape that allows the stone to display the beautiful asterism, or star. Routine Enhancements : There are no known enhancements for Diopside. Care & Cleaning : Diopside is a relatively soft and brittle gemstone so care should be taken to avoid any sharp blows or scratches. It is best cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush to remove any collected dust or grease. As with most gemstones, Diopsides should be kept away from prolonged exposure to excessive heat and household chemicals that can cause permanent damage to the stone. Always store your Diopside jewelry in a fabric-lined box away from other harder jewelry items so as to avoid damage / scratching.