Despite having been first identified at the turn of the nineteenth century, diopside’s relatively low hardness (5.5) and full range of colors prevented it from having any significant gemological impact until the discovery of bright green Siberian material in 1988. Although still soft, these “chrome diopside” crystals possess a hue that rivals that seen in the far more expensive tsavorite garnet, as well as the finest emeralds and jadeite.
While the next best-known variety, star diopside, displays a sharp four-rayed asterism effect, the stones lack popularity due to their somewhat blackish coloration and opacity. Conversely, the less well-known cat’s eye specimens usually display attractive green hues and possess far higher levels of translucency.
Yellowish-green faceted diopside has recently been sold under the trade name of “tashmarine”, while violane is a light bluish and/or violetish microcrystalline variety that is usually fashioned into cabochons, beads and polished irregular forms.