1" Lustrous Green Chrome Diopside Crystal - Minas Gerais, Brazil

Chrome diopside, also known as chromium diopside, gains its vibrant green color from chromium, the same element partially responsible for the green color in beryl emerald. Diopside can be found in various locations around the world, but gem-quality chrome diopside is almost exclusively mined in or near diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes in the mountains of eastern Russia. In fact, chrome diopside is considered an "indicator mineral" to help locate diamond deposits.

Areas of deep green coloration in chrome diopside specimens are those without many fractures, and are typically used for faceted gems. This deep green requires most gems to be small to ensure light can pass through, where as larger gems have a dark green to almost black color.