Imperial Russian Diopside

Imperial Russian Diopside is one of nature's rarest gemstones. It is found in just a few locations around the world, and Russia is by far the most famous. This deep, rich, velvety green stone is mined in the frozen lands of northeastern Siberia. It is found near the town of Aldan near the Inglai River, in the very same kimberlite geological formation that produces Russia's other great gem, diamond. Imperial Russian Diopside was originally found in the 1950's, but it is only in the last ten years that this gem has been available in any quantity in the west.


The Imperial Russian Diopside mine is located high in the mountains, and is covered with snow from late October through June. When the snow is gone, the green of the diopside covers much of the area like a blanket of rich, green moss. When it rains, the mountainsides, roads and river beds sparkle like a green frost in the early mornings.


The mining of Imperial Russian Diopside is done almost entirely by hand, and is very difficult to cut properly. Eyes clean pieces of rough are selected and then very carefully shaped and cut. To bring out the ultimate beauty, the gem must have sharp, even facets. Imperial Russian Diopside is a newcomer to the gemstone world. Its rich, vibrant color makes it the ideal choice for all those who love green gemstones. A hardness of 5.5 on the hardness scales makes it the same hardness as opal. Thus, one needs to treat this rare gemstone with a little extra care. Pendants or earrings won't experience as much wear as a ring. Rings with a stone as soft as this should more often than not be worn for special occasions and not everyday use. You should remove your diopside jewelry when working in the yard or garden. Try to avoid sharp blows directly to the stone. If it gets dirty, clean it with warm water, detergent and a soft brush. With a little extra care, this beautiful green gemstone from the frozen mountains of Siberia will give you years of enjoyment.