Chrome Diopside Facet and Polishing Info

Chrome Diopside is not treated. Unlike most other gems, which are heated, irradiated or oiled -- there is absolutely NO treatment given to chrome diopside.

Chrome Diopside is in the pyroxene group of minerals, and has PRISMATIC CLEAVAGE, which means the angles of cleavage are 87 degrees and 93 degrees (almost perpendicular). This makes it a very difficult gem to facet. But at the same time, it has about twice the refraction of an emerald, giving it a brilliant sparkle.

Best Shapes
The best shape to cut chrome diopside in is oval, and round. Anything with a rounded edge is easier and provides a better return on the rough. The return on the rough is approximately 10%. (We lose 90% of the rough.) Therefore, a cushion cut is better than a square, and so on. However, due to demands in the jewelry industry, it is cut into all shapes.

We also do checkerboard cutting.

Calibrated sizes
We cut typically in the standard calibrated sizes from approx 3mm-8mm in sizes including: oval, round, pear, cushion, square, trilliant, octagon (emerald cut) and marquise.


	Mining Chrome Diopside can be very tough to do. In sub-zero temperatures, a man's strength is diminished greatly. Too much exposure can result in hypothermia and death. Miners take every precaution and can not mine during the bone-crushing winter months.

	Chrome Diopside requires special cutting expertise -- only about 10% of the rough ends up in a polished gem.

	Chrome Diopside is a gem found in Siberia - and is commonly known as the Russian Emerald.