0.55 Carat Chrome Diopside Pair

Although the name Chrome Diopside doesn’t inspire beauty as its heard, the stone itself will. Coming in well saturated greens that can compare to fine Emerald, it is gaining in popularity. Gem quality Chrome Diopside discovered in Russia in the year 1988 quickly gained the nickname "Siberian Emerald". Chrome Diopside, as the name implies, bears Chromium as a coloring agent. With a Mohs hardness ranging from 5-6, care must be taken to protect the stone from abrasive materials and surfaces. It has 2 planes of cleavage, meaning that the best choice of mount will be either earrings or a pendant. Some rings with a protective mount can house Chrome diopside, but they fall out of the category of everyday wear. Chrome Diopside gains nothing from commercial treatments, so it is not performed. Simulants can be found, though. Simulants including glass, and lab grown gems may be distinguished readily from Chrome Diopside using standard testing and equipment.