Natural Diopside Gemstones
Diopside is a calcium magnesium silicate (CaMgSi2O6) from the pyroxene group. Its best-known form, chrome diopside, is a vivid green colored by chromium, with a tone that closely echoes fine emerald, while black star diopside shows a four-rayed star that glides across the surface under a single light. With a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6, it is a softer gem best suited to pendants and earrings.
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Gemstone guide
Natural Diopside Gemstones
About diopside
Chrome diopside comes mainly from Siberia in Russia, where it was found in the 1980s and became a popular, affordable green gem. Black star diopside, mostly from southern India, owes its star to fine needles of magnetite aligned in the crystal, and those needles make it slightly magnetic. Diopside also occurs in Pakistan, Africa and Myanmar, and it is rarely treated.
What you'll find in this collection
Our diopside comes from Pakistan, Africa and Russia, and all stones are untreated. You'll find black star diopside cabochons as well as faceted ovals, rounds and cushions from about 0.4 to 4 carats in green tones.
How to recognise diopside
Diopside has strong double refraction, so looking through the top of a faceted stone you can often see the back facet edges doubled. Chrome diopside is usually darker green than emerald and lacks emerald's garden of fractures. Black star diopside shows a four-rayed star, often with two sharper and two softer rays, and a strong magnet will pull on it.
Caring for diopside
Diopside is fairly soft and has two directions of cleavage, so it can chip or split if knocked. Choose protective settings, clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush, and avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Every stone is natural, and each listing gives its weight, size, origin and treatment, with photos of the actual stone.