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 chromium diopside specimen from Russia presents a striking, raw formation with rich, saturated green coloration ranging from deep forest tones to brighter, almost neon flashes where light penetrates thinner sections. The surface is rugged and uneven, with natural fractures and a slightly glassy luster visible across multiple faces. Darker, nearly black-green zones contrast with more translucent patches, while small areas of pale matrix remain attached, emphasizing its natural, unpolished state and giving the piece strong visual depth.
Chromium diopside is a variety of diopside colored by chromium, most famously sourced from Siberia, Russia—particularly the Inagli massif region. It formed in metamorphic and igneous environments and gained popularity in the late 20th century as a gemstone alternative to emerald due to its vivid green color and relative affordability. Unlike emerald, it is typically untreated, and high-quality material is often eye-clean despite its natural origin. Its vibrant color is directly tied to trace chromium content, similar to emerald and ruby.
Spiritually, chromium diopside is often associated with the heart chakra and is believed to encourage emotional healing, compassion, and connection to nature. Many people view it as a stone of renewal, helping to release old emotional patterns while promoting forgiveness and balance. Its deep green energy is commonly linked to grounding and aligning oneself with growth, both emotionally and spiritually.
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.