Specifications
Description
Mined from: Inagli Massif, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Siberia, Russia
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.
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.
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.
This striking chromium diopside mineral specimen from Russia showcases a rich, forest-to-emerald green coloration with natural crystalline structure throughout. The piece features a rugged, raw formation with interlocking crystal faces and a vitreous to slightly silky luster that catches the light beautifully from multiple angles.
Dark green to nearly black sections contrast with brighter translucent green areas, highlighting the stone’s natural variation and depth. Subtle inclusions of lighter matrix material add character and authenticity, emphasizing that this is a completely natural, unpolished specimen.
Its sculptural, organic shape makes it ideal for display, whether in a mineral collection, as a décor accent, or for metaphysical use. The included scale image (with a coin) gives a clear sense of its substantial size and presence.
Metaphysically, chromium diopside is associated with the heart chakra and is believed to support emotional healing, compassion, and renewal. It is often used to encourage a deeper connection with nature, release emotional blockages, and promote balance and personal growth.
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.