Yellow-Green Chrome Diopside Rough

A bright, slightly yellow-leaning green gives this rough Chrome Diopside a gentle color, with deeper green visible at the upper projection and lower portion. Partial translucency offers glimpses into a complex interior rather than a uniformly clear view.

The elongated, angular form is irregular, with a short projection at the top and stepped surfaces that suggest overlapping fragments of olive-colored glass. Flat planes catch the light with a noticeable gloss. Presented without matrix, the piece comes from Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Chrome Diopside is the commercial name for the chromium-bearing variety of diopside, not a separate mineral species.

Joun notes that he was fortunate to acquire this piece when the opportunity arose. His suggested way to view it is with a gentle light from behind, comparing the translucent edges with the deeper green areas. This offers a quiet way to explore the interior while keeping the rough outline in view.

Keep it out of direct sunlight and handle the corners gently. Diopside is brittle and has distinct cleavage, so protect it from knocks and avoid pressure on its edges.