Chrome Diopside - Specimen

Locality: Inagli Massif, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Siberia, Russia

The Inagli deposit lies in the Inagli massif, a body of potassium-rich alkaline ultrabasic rock in the northwestern Aldan Shield of Yakutia. A 2008 study in Geochemistry International described Inagli chrome diopside as highly transparent and intensely green, with 0.13 to 0.75% chromium oxide. It found that tiny inclusions in the crystals trapped droplets of sulfate-rich salt melt, which fully melted again when heated to about 770 to 850 °C in the lab.

According to GIA, Russia is the primary source of gem-quality chrome diopside, mined primarily in eastern Siberia at the Inagli deposit in the Sakha Republic. Harsh weather and terrain limit mining there to the summer months, which keeps supplies limited. Its saturated green first made it popular as a more affordable alternative to emerald, and it is now increasingly sold as a gem in its own right.

Chrome diopside is a vivid green variety of diopside, a calcium magnesium silicate (CaMgSi₂O₆) in the pyroxene group. Its name comes from the Greek for "double" and "appearance". Ordinary diopside can be colourless, yellow, green or black, but traces of chromium give chrome diopside its intense colour.

This one of a kind chromium diopside mineral specimen from Russia displays a flatter, elongated formation with a layered, almost plate-like structure. The surface is richly textured, combining deep forest green with vibrant flashes of lighter emerald tones along fractured edges. Its crystal faces are more compressed and intergrown, creating a rugged mosaic of angular surfaces with a slightly silky to vitreous luster. Darker, nearly opaque zones contrast beautifully with translucent greens that glow subtly when light passes through thinner sections.

Natural inclusions and small patches of white matrix add character and authenticity, highlighting its formation within host rock. The specimen’s organic, asymmetrical shape gives it a raw, earthy presence, while the stepped crystal growth patterns and fine striations offer visual depth and interest from every angle.

Chromium diopside is a chromium-rich variety of diopside from the pyroxene group, prized for its naturally intense green coloration. Sourced primarily from Siberia’s Inagli Massif, it forms in ultramafic environments and is often compared to emerald for its vivid hue—though it remains a distinct mineral species. Pieces like this are especially valued in their natural state for showcasing raw crystal habit and geological history.

Metaphysically, chromium diopside is associated with the heart chakra and is believed to promote emotional healing, compassion, and renewal. It is often used to encourage connection with nature, release negative patterns, and support personal growth and balance.

Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.