Pendant Star Diopside natural stone

Diopside, the name of which comes from the Greek 'dis' - double and 'opsis' - opinion, referring to two different opinions of mineralogists about the form of their crystals.

It occurs in limestones and karsts subjected to the process of contact metamorphism, less frequently in basalt. It is even found in meteorites. Minerals belonging to this group contain different proportions of magnesium and iron ions. They form short crystals of a bar shape or a granular cluster.

Diopside usually has a white or yellowish or light green to light blue color.

Indian varieties of diopside, showing the phenomenon of asterism (in the shape of a four-pointed or six-rayed star). They are very popular stones used in jewelery. Star Diopside is also very popular among collectors of minerals.

We distinguish the following varieties of Diopsides: Chromic diopside, diopside with a strong emerald color. Star diopside, showing a star effect. Hedenbergite, a variety rich in iron. Johannsenite, a variety that contains manganese. Violet, violet-blue variety, translucent to opaque. A very rare variety.

Occurrences: Austria, Burma, Finland, India, Madagascar, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United States