Specifications
Description
Mined from: Inagli Massif, Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Siberia, Russia
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.
Diopside is moderately hard, at 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and has a vitreous lustre. It typically forms prismatic crystals with nearly square cross sections, and it can also occur as granular, columnar or layered masses.
This one of a kind chromium diopside mineral specimen from Russia displays a richly saturated forest-to-emerald green coloration with areas of deep, almost black-green translucency. The piece exhibits a rugged, elongated form with prominent prismatic and bladed crystal structures intergrown throughout the matrix. Its surfaces show natural vitreous luster with scattered reflective faces, while sections of white matrix material contrast sharply against the darker green body. Internal zoning and light-catching edges reveal flashes of vivid green when viewed from different angles, emphasizing its raw, unpolished character and natural formation.
Chromium diopside, often referred to as “Russian emerald” due to its intense green hue, is a chromium-rich variety of the mineral diopside within the pyroxene group. It is primarily sourced from Siberia, especially the Inagli Massif in Yakutia, one of the most well-known and productive localities. This mineral forms in metamorphic and igneous environments and is prized both as a gemstone and a collector’s specimen. Unlike emerald, chromium diopside is typically untreated and remains relatively rare in large, high-quality rough forms, making natural specimens like this especially desirable.
Spiritually, chromium diopside is often associated with the heart chakra and is believed to promote emotional healing, compassion, and connection to nature. Many people use it as a stone for renewal and grounding, thought to օգ foster balance between mind and heart while encouraging generosity and personal growth. Its deep green tones are commonly linked to vitality, abundance, and the rejuvenating energies of the natural world.
Quantity: 1pc
With this product, you will get the actual stone in the photograph.