The facts
What chrome Diopside actually is
The species behind chrome Diopside is diopside (pyroxene group), CaMgSi₂O₆; it forms in the monoclinic system.
Chromium is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.664–1.730 (commonly 1.675–1.701) and a specific gravity of about 3.22–3.38, with distinct prismatic {110} at about 87°/93° cleavage.
Where chrome Diopside comes from
Commercial material comes from Inagli, Sakha (Yakutia), Russia, Outokumpu, Finland and Kunene, Namibia.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How chrome Diopside is treated
Untreated — there is no commercially useful treatment for it. Colour goes over-dark above roughly 2 ct, which caps the market for large stones. The distinct cleavage and modest hardness make it a poor daily-wear ring stone.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What chrome Diopside is confused with
Watch for Emerald, Tsavorite, Peridot, Chrome tourmaline and Green glass — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.664–1.730 (commonly 1.675–1.701) and specific gravity 3.22–3.38 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What chrome Diopside is used for
The trades that buy chrome Diopside are jewellery and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Chrome Diopside is 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale, with distinct prismatic {110} at about 87°/93° cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What chrome Diopside costs
Expect roughly $10–120/ct, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is chrome Diopside treated, and how?
Untreated — there is no commercially useful treatment for it. Colour goes over-dark above roughly 2 ct, which caps the market for large stones. The distinct cleavage and modest hardness make it a poor daily-wear ring stone.
Where does chrome Diopside come from?
Inagli, Sakha (Yakutia), Russia, Outokumpu, Finland and Kunene, Namibia. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is chrome Diopside hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 5.5–6.5 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does chrome Diopside cost?
Indicatively $10–120/ct. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is chrome Diopside confused with?
Most often Emerald, Tsavorite, Peridot, Chrome tourmaline and Green glass. A refractive index of 1.664–1.730 (commonly 1.675–1.701) and a specific gravity near 3.22–3.38 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for chrome diopside?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about chrome diopside