Chrome diopsides

[Arkteia]

I fell in love with chrome diopsides. They are inexpensive and have beautiful green color. I''ve noticed that in most cases the cut is quite shallow. Can anyone tell me why? Also, does anyone know websites selling them - so far I have found them only on ebay.

 

[chrono]

Chrome diopside can be a gorgeous green but they are usually found in smaller sizes. Once they get large, some tend towards getting overly dark. However, this is just a generality. Perhaps what you are seeing are just poorly cut stones (with regards to being shallow). This is usually done to preserve carat weight, and price that comes with the retained weight. I’ve sometimes seen some at www.acstones.com You might also find some at www.mineralminers.com I’m not sure if www.thegemtrader.com has any at the moment.

 

[StonieGrl]

You probably know this, chrome diopside is indicator mineral for diamonds.

I love them too but because they are so soft, I indulged my "I want"instinct by buying chrome diopside as a mineral specimen. You might check into a specimen, many of them are quite beautiful.

 

[T L]

They are soft and have a low RI. I''m not particularly fond of them for those two reasons. However, they are one of the more inexpensive green stones.

 

[morecarats]

Date: 11/9/2009 1:53:21 PM
Author: Chrono
Chrome diopside can be a gorgeous green but they are usually found in smaller sizes. Once they get large, some tend towards getting overly dark. However, this is just a generality. Perhaps what you are seeing are just poorly cut stones (with regards to being shallow). This is usually done to preserve carat weight, and price that comes with the retained weight. I’ve sometimes seen some at www.acstones.com You might also find some at www.mineralminers.com I’m not sure if www.thegemtrader.com has any at the moment.

Yes, chrome diopside tend to get very dark in sizes over 2 carats. As a result, they are often cut somewhat shallow to maximize color. Since a stone with a deeper pavilion will be heavier than one with a shallow pavilion, weight retention is often sacrificed in order to improve the color. But better to have a lighter stone that is saleable than a heavier stone that nobody wants to buy. Price comes with selling the stone, not with retained weight.