- Stone type
- Natural Diopside
- Weight
- 3.91ct
- Size
- 8.9mm
- Color
- Black
- Cut
- Round cabochon
- Clarity
- Opaque
- Treatment
- Untreated
- Origin
- Africa
- Hardness
- 5.5-6
- Phenomenon
- Asterism (4-ray star)
Natural Black Star Diopside 3.91ct 8.9mm Round Cabochon
€8.00 EURSKU: ot1570-1
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A round black diopside cabochon with a very deep, opaque jet-black body color and a high-gloss mirror polish. The asterism appears as a soft, silky four-ray cross that catches under direct light, with arms of golden-bronze sheen that converge near the stone's center. The overall effect is gentle and diffuse on this piece, the star visible in the light rather than dramatically pronounced.
Asterism is an optical phenomenon in which fine needle-like inclusions inside the gemstone scatter incoming light into a star visible on the cabochon's polished surface. In black star diopside from Africa, the four-ray cross is produced by two sets of rutile needle inclusions oriented at right angles to each other within the crystal structure. The stone is untreated, and a pendant or brooch setting is a natural fit for appreciating the star under directed light.
Natural black star diopside, asterism, sold loose.
We ship worldwide from Sofia, Bulgaria. Every order is packed in a protective box with bubble wrap. Orders within Bulgaria are dispatched within 1-2 business days and international orders within 2-3 business days. Free shipping is applied automatically at checkout, and the threshold applies to the order value after any discounts.
Delivery within Bulgaria
- Delivered by Speedy, Econt or Box Now, to a courier office, a locker or your address.
- Fixed prices: Box Now locker €1.60 (free on orders from €25), Speedy office €3.20, Econt office or locker €4.00, Speedy to your address €4.50.
- Free shipping on orders over €50, with any courier and at any weight.
- Cash on delivery is available.
- Delivery normally takes 1-2 business days after dispatch.
- Hardness
- 5.5-6
- Cleavage
- Good
- Durability
- Fair
- Soapy water
- Safe
- Ultrasonic
- Avoid
- Steam
- Avoid
About diopside
Diopside is 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale with good cleavage along two planes, so it needs protection from knocks and scratches.
Cleaning
Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth. Skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners: vibration and sudden temperature changes can crack it.
Wear and storage
The four-rayed star comes from fine needle-like inclusions inside the stone. They make it slightly more brittle, so treat the domed surface gently. With a hardness below 7 it can be scratched even by quartz, which is found in household dust, and a knock can split it. Wipe it gently and store it on its own in a soft pouch. It suits pendants and earrings better than an everyday ring.
For your jeweler
This diopside is untreated. Diopside should be kept away from the torch flame, acid pickle and the ultrasonic bath. Ask for gentle pressure when setting, since a hard push can split it.
Scale
True to scale: 8.9 mm
Shown next to a €1 coin (23.25 mm) in the exact ratio, so you can picture the real size.
