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Diopside

Diopside

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV
Published: June 2014
Modified: August 2022
Diopside Polished Diopside Rough Diopside Jewelry
Table of Contents
  • General Information
  • Diopside Colors
  • Diopside Spectra
  • Alternate Names
  • Countries of Origin
  • Care
  • Optical Phenomena

Diopside can be colorless but it most often a bottle green, brownish green or light green. Bright green diopside is commonly known as chrome diopside because of its chromium content. A rare blue variety known as violan may be found in Italy.

General Information

  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical Properties
  • Chemistry & Crystallography
Common Name
Diopside
Species
Diopside
Transparency
Semitranslucent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: Moderate Fire Value: 0.020
Refractive Index
1.675-1.701
Tolerance:(+0.029/-0.010)
Birefringence
0.024- 0.030
Optic Character
Biaxial
Optic Sign
Positive
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Doubly Refractive (DR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: strong blue to bluish white
LWUV: inert to weak blue
Pleochroism
Dichroic, weak to strong light green and dark green
Hardness
5.5-6
Streak
White To White Green
Specific Gravity
3.220-3.400 Typical:3.290
Toughness
Varies
Inclusions
Black needle-like magnetite inclusions that might be magnetic, metallic like inclusions and liquid inclusions.
Luster
Vitreous, Resinous
Stability
Fair
Fracture
Conchoidal, Uneven
Cleavage
Good, in two directions
Chemical Name
calcium magnesium silicate
Chemical Formula
CaMgSi2O6
Crystal System
Monoclinic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Diopside Colors

  • Yellow Diopside
    Yellow
  • White Diopside
    White
  • Black Diopside
    Black
  • Green Diopside
    Green
  • Blue Diopside
    Blue
  • Brown Diopside
    Brown
  • Colorless Diopside
    Colorless

Diopside Spectra

Diopside Spectra
DIOPSIDE (Green ray.)

Color due to iron. The iron band in the blue is narrow and centered at 450nm. as the vibrations of greener ray are brought in alignment by rotating the polarizing filter. The spectrum is similar to that of chrysoberyl. However, note there is less red seen compared to chrysoberyl.

Diopside Spectra
DIOPSIDE (Yellow ray.)

Color due to iron. In this more yellow ray the absorption in the blue strengthens and the band becomes wider as it's center moves to the long wave side at 460nm. Transmission in the yellow and orange increases

Diopside Spectra
DIOPSIDE (Unpolarized)

Color due to iron. This greenish yellow variety of diopside shows a strong broad iron band centered at 455nm. Plus general absorption of the red area

We acknowledge the significant scientific contributions of John S Harris, FGA to the study of gemstone spectra and with deep appreciation to him, acknowledges the use of his images and related notes about gemstones and their spectra in the educational materials on this website.

Alternate Names

Tashmarine(TM),Shanseres(R), Star Diopside, Cat's-Eye Diopside, Malacolite, Alalite, Violane, Chrome Diopside

Countries of Origin

Tanzania, United Republic Of; Canada; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Pakistan; Unknown; Sri Lanka; Namibia; United States of America; Thailand; India

Care

Cleaves easily, or is known to brittleness. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners. Wear with care.

Optical Phenomena

Cat's Eye

The term cat's eye, or chatoyancy, is used to describe a phenomenal optical property in gemstones, in this case diopside. The effect, when present, appears as a bright, narrow slit similar to the pupils in the eyes of your favorite feline. This phenomenon is caused by parallel fibrous or needle-like inclusions that interfere with the passage of light through the crystal, scattering and reflecting light back to the viewer as a thin line.

Cat's Eye Diopside
Cat's Eye Diopside
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Cat's Eye
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: possibly green
Pleochroism
Dichroic, weak to strong light green or yellowish green and dark green
Inclusions
Black needle-like magnetite inclusions that might be magnetic, metallic like inclusions and liquid inclusions.

Star

Star diopside exhibits the optical phenomenon called asterism, a star-like pattern created on the surface of a gemstone when light encounters parallel fibrous, or needle-like, inclusions within its crystal structure. Light that strikes the inclusions within the gem reflects off of the inclusions, creating a narrow band of light. When two or more intersecting bands appear, a star pattern is formed. Depending on the crystal, the star may have four, six, or even twelve rays. When only one band forms, it is classified as a "cat's eye."

Star Diopside
Star Diopside
  • Classification
  • Optical Properties
  • Characteristic Physical properties
Common Name
Star
Refractive Index
1.675-1.701
Tolerance:(+0.029/-1.701)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert
LWUV: Inert
Pleochroism
Unobservable
Inclusions
Black needle-like magnetite inclusions that might be magnetic, metallic like inclusions and liquid inclusions.
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