Diopside

Q: What is Diopside?

Diopside is a calcium magnesium pyroxene mineral spanning a remarkable range of gem varieties, including the vivid green chrome diopside from Siberia, the rare cat's eye variety, and a unique four-rayed star diopside from India that displays an asterism resembling a silver cross against a dark green

Q: What is the hardness of Diopside?

Diopside has a Mohs hardness of 5.0 to 6.0, making it moderate for use in jewelry.

Q: How much does Diopside cost?

Diopside falls into the Budget (< $50/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.

Q: What is the crystal system of Diopside?

Diopside belongs to the Monoclinic crystal system.

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Spanning a striking range of forms, diopside is a calcium magnesium pyroxene that appears as vivid chrome diopside from Siberia, a rare cat's-eye variety, and a four-rayed star diopside from India whose asterism resembles a silver cross on dark green. Transparent colorless to pale green crystals are faceted as affordable gems, while deep green chrome diopside rivals emerald for color intensity. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and measures 5.0 to 6.0 on the Mohs scale, a modest hardness best suited to protected settings. This budget-tier semi-precious stone occurs in metamorphic and basic igneous rocks worldwide.

Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 5.0 – 6.0

Specific Gravity 3.22 – 3.4

Refractive Index 1.664 – 1.73

Crystal System Monoclinic

Luster Vitreous

Cleavage Good

Fracture Uneven

Color various

Birefringence 0.024

Dispersion 0.017

Pleochroism Common trichroism: light green - yellow green - dark green

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 5.0 – 6.0

1 Soft10 Hard

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Budget (< $50/ct)

Where to Buy Diopside

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

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About Diopside

Diopside is a calcium magnesium pyroxene mineral spanning a remarkable range of gem varieties, including the vivid green chrome diopside from Siberia, the rare cat's eye variety, and a unique four-rayed star diopside from India that displays an asterism resembling a silver cross against a dark green background. Transparent colorless to pale green diopside is faceted as an affordable gem, while deep green chrome diopside rivals emerald for color intensity. It occurs in metamorphic and basic igneous rocks worldwide.