Deep Green Chrome Diopside

Deep Green Chrome Diopside
Russia
There are only a small number of gems that regularly exhibit a clean, pure green with no other overtones. One of those few is a variety of diopside colored by chromium, hence the name "chrome diopside". Chrome diopside is one of the "indicator minerals" that occur with diamonds in "pipe" deposits. By carfeul checking of sand samples over a wide area for presence and amount of chrome diopside and pyrope garnet, a pattern of increasing concentration sometimes emerges, pointing the way to the originating "pipe". In addition to tdiamond pipe associated deposits, chrome diopside infrequently occurs in chromium bearing metamorphic deposits. This Russian stone is from such a deposit. Cut in oval brilliant style, this stone displays a deep kelly-green body color and good proportions. Weighing approximately 7.42 carats and smeasuring 1.41 x 1.09cm; 7.42cts