Chrome Diopside / Faceting Information


This covers tips and guides on Chrome Diopside faceting. Chrome Diopside has a rich green shade that rivals that of an Emerald, just much more affordable.

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Diopside (chrome)

Chrome Diopside

Color: Chrome green to colorless.
Moh's Hardness: 5-6
Refractive Index: 1.671-1.726
Critical Angle: 36.78°
Specific Gravity: 3.27-3.31
Cleavage: Perfect
Fracture: Uneven
Heat Sensitivity: Yes in my experience
Dichroic: weak
Birefringence (double refraction): Medium (.028)
Crystal Structure: Monoclinic

Treatments: Generally none

What I prefer to polishing with: Alumina or cerium oxide on most standard polishing laps or chrome oxide Ultralap.

Jeff's Comments: Cuts and polishes pretty easily, can be a little tough to polish sometimes. It seems to grab diamonds and can scratch. Watch the heat when dopping. Orient stone to avoid cleavage plane. Use an extra-fine lap for pre-polishing.

Design Notes: About any designs will work well. I like shallow checker designs because the color is usually on the saturated side

Design Links: Brilliant Pear - This is great for clear rough if you have a piece that will work…

 


Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

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