Diopside
Diopside
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
Tolerance:(+0.029/-0.010)
LWUV: inert to weak blue
Diopside Colors
-
Yellow -
White -
Black -
Green -
Blue -
Brown -
Colorless
Diopside Spectra
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.
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
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.
LWUV: possibly green
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."
Tolerance:(+0.029/-1.701)
LWUV: Inert