Two-faced diopside stone: characteristics and properties

Diopside is a mineral with a large number of shades. The name is translated from Greek as “di” - double, “opsis” - “face”. It is not for nothing that it is called “two-faced”, because its color palette is vast and varied.

In nature, diopsides are found in red, yellow, brown, green, purple, pink and black shades. The second name of the stone “malakolite” characterizes the low hardness level (malakos - soft) and the place in which it was first found (alalite - Ala river in Italy).

In its pure form, diopside (CaMg(Si2O6)), belonging to the group of pyroxenes, is colorless and consists of silicon oxide, magnesium and calcium. Stones often contain inclusions of manganese, iron, vanadium, zinc, aluminum, titanium, sodium and potassium, which determine the saturation of a particular color.

Diopsides are characterized by a glassy or pearlescent luster, a high softness coefficient and a low density index, which begins to increase with an increase in the composition of the chromium or iron mineral.

Description and characteristics of diopside

The stone, known since ancient times, has a Greek name. It happened by merging two words. "Di" means "double" and "opsis" translates as "guise." The gem is known as “two-faced”. And this is not surprising. After all, diopside is a mineral that exhibits a rich palette of colors and shades, and upon first inspection it can be mistaken for other gems.

When studying the stone, its main physical and chemical characteristics were identified:

• The elements in the mineral are magnesium, vanadium, calcium and silicon. In addition, aluminum, iron and chromium are present.
• Chemical formula: CaMg (Si2O6).
• Density - 3.27–3.38 g/cm3.
• Hardness: 5.5–6 Mohs units.

Fakes

Sometimes epidote, olivine, enstatite and augite are passed off as diopside; they can often be distinguished from dioptase only in the laboratory by their composition.

Dioptase is an inexpensive stone, so it is very rarely counterfeited. And yet you can find painted glass or hornblende passed off as diopside. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish them.

Color varieties

The impurities of chemical elements included in the stone affect the color of each natural specimen. Depending on the color, there are several types of diopside:

• The most famous variety is a stone called Black Star. It is characterized by a matte shine. Another feature is the manifestation of the asterism effect. Therefore, such diopside is called star-shaped. It is mined only in southern India.
• Shefferite - characterized by a brown-red color . This gem contains manganese.
• Jeffersonite demonstrates a wide range of shades. The stone palette includes a variety of colors - from bright green to dark brown, turning into black.
• Anthochroite is a pastel pink color. Such a romantic color is explained by the presence of manganese compounds in the composition.
• An opaque variety of diopside is salit. The stone exhibits a green-yellow coloration.
• The violet-colored mineral is called violane. The intensity of the color depends on the iron and manganese content of the stone.
• Diopside is the shade of young grass - laurelite. There are specimens the color of apple green. The color is due to vanadium impurities.
• Baicalite mined in our country is characterized by a blue color. There are also samples of grass color.
• Another well-known variety is chrome diopside. Another name for the stone is Siberian emerald. The mineral contains chromium, which provides natural samples with a rich green color.

“Partners” of chrome diopside

Compatibility with other stones is good. Jewelers will tell you that stones of the same color work best together. The statement is also true for our “hero”. Moreover, all green minerals and stones are able to combine with almost all others, except that ruby ​​is not suitable.

The secret of compatibility of precious stones is well known: bright specimens “marry” more successfully with equally rich and noticeable ones. Minerals of muted colors - with similar pastels.

A beautiful “Siberian emerald” inserted into an elegant frame is not only an adornment, but also a talisman, an island of faith, hope, love in the stormy sea of ​​life. Among the meanings of the stone is that it gives rest, providing an aura of joy and health around the owner. Buying a product made of chrome diopside is the right decision.

Place of Birth

The stone occurs in basaltic rocks with a high content of olivine. In addition, gems are formed during the metamorphism of dolomites and limestones.

This mineral, distinguished by its rich color palette, is found in many parts of our planet. Large deposits are located in the following countries:

• Austria, where white stones with a cat's eye effect are mined;
• Italy - gems of green and purple tones were found in Piedmont, Trento and Valle D'Aosta;
• Sweden and Australia - yellow stones are mined there;
• USA - in the states of California and Illinois;
• Canada and South Africa;
• Brazil, Finland and Madagascar.

Deposits of the mineral have also been found in the Russian Federation.

Chrome diopside is mined in the Murmansk, Irkutsk and Chelyabinsk regions.

Deposits of blue gems have been discovered on the shores of Lake Baikal. This variety is called baikalit.

Origin of the stone and its prevalence

The Black Star stone was first found in Italy, in the valley of the Ala River. Most of the deposits were discovered on the Sri Lanka peninsula, and the gem is also mined, but in small quantities, in Canada, the USA, Australia, Finland, and Russia (Murmansk, Sverdlovsk regions).

The mineral is most widespread in India. Real black nuggets are mined only in the south of India, which is why the mineral received the name Indian black star. For other deposits, black color is considered rare. After giving the gem a cabochon shape, a silver-white star with four rays appears on its surface.

Application

The stone is soft and pliable. The mineral is used to make household items, figurines, trinkets and souvenirs. The use of natural specimens in decorating the interior space of premises is widespread.

Diopside is known for its magical properties and positive effects on human life. Natural samples from which talismans, amulets and amulets are made have such power.

Diopside beads are used in needlework for embroidering pictures and making miniature figurines.

The mineral is an excellent raw material for creating jewelry. Various techniques are used for cutting. Baguette or cabochon processing is common. In addition, diamond or step cutting is used. The stone is used to decorate rings, earrings, brooches, bracelets, and cufflinks. In this case, the specimens are set in gold or silver.

A stone with a rich color palette is valued by collectors all over the world. Natural specimens are exhibited in many famous museums. The Smithsonian Institution, for example, houses a star diopside weighing 133 carats.

Decorations

Considering that diopside is found in different colors, the most common is green stone. Purple and dark green, almost black, stones are rarely used in jewelry.

Intense green color combined with transparency is highly valued in precious gemstones. In addition to light green specimens, minerals with deep shades are cut into several carats, since the dark green shade in a large stone fades to black.

Chrome diopside is used in the manufacture of earrings and pendants. Due to its low hardness, it is rarely cut for rings and bracelets.

Black and purple stones are usually cut into cabochons and used as collectible minerals.

Cutting a stone into small facets improves the shine and color of the stones. The most optimal cutting methods for diopside are oval, cushion or cushion, emerald (octagon), and round. Better processing increases the shine and shimmer of the stones.

Magic of stone

For a long time, humanity has known about the magical properties of the gem. In Eastern countries, the stone is used as a talisman and amulet, as well as an attribute for rituals and ceremonies. Only unframed copies are suitable for this purpose.

The mystical abilities of the mineral affect the life and destiny of a person. Moreover, the color of diopside directly affects its magical properties.

• The stone helps the owner to free himself from internal negativity , anger and envy towards others.
• The mineral has a calming effect on a person , relieving stress and depression. This is what the green talisman is famous for.
• Natural samples are often used as amulets that protect against the evil eye, damage and evil thoughts. Black diopside is especially famous for this effect.
• An important function is stimulation of thought processes , which helps those who are engaged in mental activity.
• The ability of a natural gem to give a person inner harmony .

Diopside has long been considered a stone of truth. Such an amulet protects the owner from intrigue, helping to reveal deception and protecting him from other people’s cunning and lies.

How to care for stone

The main rule for caring for diopside is to be careful when wearing and storing it, since the mineral is quite soft and fragile. The stone should be stored in a personal case or compartment of the box, protected from other gems with a soft cloth. Cleaning is done as soon as it gets dirty, but preferably not too often. The stone is washed with running water; if necessary, a weak soap solution is used. Cleaning agents and brushes must not be used. Dry the jewelry only with a soft cloth.

Medicinal properties

In addition to its magical properties, the stone is also famous for its healing effects on the human body. Natural samples are often used by lithotherapists.

The main medicinal properties of diopside include:

• a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system; for this purpose, a green mineral is used;
• protection against diseases of the respiratory organs - specimens inserted into a silver frame are useful;
• regulation of the gastrointestinal tract - a gem framed in gold;
• fight against nervous system disorders.

Lithotherapists advise wearing jewelry with diopside for health purposes. Thus, for diseases of the digestive tract and respiratory system, the use of rings or bracelets with a gem is recommended.

And if you have heart problems, it is good to wear beads made from natural minerals. In case of nervous system disorders, as well as stress and intense rhythm of life, diopside bracelets will have a beneficial effect.

History (mythology)

It was believed that diopside is a creative stone, showing creative thinking and helping to identify desired goals. It was also credited with increasing the wearer's intellectual abilities, especially in the fields of mathematics and analytics. In addition to this, it reduces aggression and stubbornness and is also associated with love, commitment and the inner self.

Physically, the mineral was believed to heal the heart, lungs and circulatory system. It also reduces the negative impact of psychological disorders and weaknesses.

Black Star of India and Zodiac Signs

It is generally accepted that talismans, amulets and amulets made from natural stones should be chosen according to your zodiac sign. Only then will a person fully feel the magical influence of the mineral.

In the case of diopside, as a rule, no difficulties arise. The stone can be used as a talisman by representatives of almost all zodiac constellations. There are only two exceptions - Aries and Capricorns. For people born under these signs, the gem can cause harm.

Aries will display negative character traits - aggression and pride. If the representatives of these signs are prone to various scams, the talisman punishes the owner. If a person plans evil or deception towards another, he will pay for it. Troubles will begin in his own life.

Diopside is fully compatible with Virgo and Gemini.

Representatives of these signs will feel the greatest benefit from owning a gem. In addition, the stone will act as a talisman, protecting the owner from external negativity and ill-wishers.

How to distinguish an original from a fake

Diopsides are practically not counterfeited, since it is not economically profitable. Previously, they themselves were used as imitation emeralds. Today this practice is not common. However, on the market you can find synthetic analogues of stone that are not inferior to natural specimens in beauty, quality and cost. Examining the gem under a magnifying glass will help you identify them.

Synthetics will be ideal in all respects - in shape, structure, and color. There will always be some defects in natural stone.

Buying artificial diopside is unprofitable only when the buyer expects to receive magical support or treatment with the stone. Those who value aesthetics will only benefit by purchasing a synthetic gem.

Interesting facts about the stone

Certain facts are known about each mineral of natural origin. It is useful for all people to know about such things, and not just those who are interested in studying stones:

• Diopside exhibits the effect of asterism. This property is manifested due to the presence of crystalline inclusions in natural samples.
• The American Museum of Natural History is the proud owner of a transparent natural specimen. This green mineral weighs 38 carats.
• Not only jewelry with this gem, but also decorative items made from it serve as a good talisman.
• The mineral is of particular importance for people named Anastasia, Julia, Nikolai or Arthur.

Diopside is valued not only for its external beauty, but also for its magical and healing powers. The stone suits almost everyone. However, when choosing a talisman, you still need to take into account your zodiac sign. Then the mineral will definitely not cause harm, and its impact on the life and destiny of the owner will be truly positive.

Diopside care

Due to the softness of diopside, it should be stored wrapped in soft cloth away from other stones.

When dirty, wash in a light soap solution. After this, wipe with a dry cloth.

This inexpensive stone has many benefits and healing properties that make it worth purchasing.

Characteristics

The chemical formula of the stone is AL2O3. According to it, sapphire is a mixture of aluminum and titanium. Its structure may be homogeneous or contain small impurities that are visible only under a microscope.

The same goes for transparency. In the natural environment, raw crystals resemble pyramids or barrels.

Physico-chemical properties and cost

Its properties are worthy of respect:

1. Considerable hardness (9 points on the Mohs scale).
2. The light refractive index is from 1.762 to 1.778.
3. Melts at 2040 °C.
4. The density of the stone is 3.93 g per cubic centimeter.
5. Dielectric.
6. Anisotropic.
7. Transparency in infrared radiation – up to 6500 nm.
8. Has a fluorescent effect.
9. Asterism (star effect), characteristic of stones containing rutile.

The cost of star stones exceeds the price of ordinary sapphires. For the opportunity to buy the most beautiful representatives of the species, you have to pay an impressive amount.

If a stone has minor defects, for example, unclear rays or chaotic shine, it can be purchased much cheaper than other sapphires.

One carat of star sapphire costs from 60 to 150 US dollars. Much also depends on the color of the stone: blue specimens are valued less because they are more common than, for example, green ones.

A find of this color represents a huge reward for the prospector.
Interesting! Jewelers have learned to make artificial sapphires with the effect of asterism. The price of successful products can exceed the cost of natural jewelry.

Place of Birth

Sapphire deposits have been found in China, the USA, Thailand, Australia, Burma, Madagascar, Vietnam, India, and Sri Lanka.

Russian deposits are not of impressive size, which makes large-scale sapphire mining difficult. Sometimes they just find stones that can be processed. Such places are concentrated in the Urals and the Kola Peninsula.

Origin of star sapphire

Under the influence of high temperatures, an asterism effect can appear on the surface of a sapphire - an optical illusion in the form of a star. This type of jewelry is called a star sapphire or star sapphire. It is formed under the influence of the environment over many millions of years.

In order for the pattern to form, the rock must contain titanium and aluminum. They will settle on the edges of the crystal, which will lead to an unusual and rare effect. On some sapphires you can see the star under any conditions, while others allow you to see this only under a specific position of the stone.

In the myths and legends of Fr. Sri Lanka has an interesting story about the creation of painted stones. It talks about a young man, Jampala. His peers used bows and arrows when hunting, and he used a boomerang. And then one day he went into the forest for another prey, got lost and wandered until nightfall.

He sat down to rest, the night star shining above his head. He admired her for a long time and did not notice how he fell in love.

The young man increasingly went into the night forest and admired his beloved. On one of these trips, a black goat jumped out in front of him. Jampal threw a boomerang at him, trying to hit the animal. But the goat got angry.

The wind burst from his horns and carried the boomerang high up, breaking the starry sky. One small piece fell at Jampal's feet. The man picked it up and began to examine it: his favorite star sparkled on the surface of this fragment.

Jewelry storage

Despite all the unpretentiousness of the stone, it requires careful care:

1. Sapphires are stored in boxes with a soft bottom and are always put there when you need to do household chores (wash dishes, do laundry).
2. It is not recommended to go to the bathhouse with them or be near a source of elevated temperature. Sapphire will not change its appearance, but a specialist will immediately detect a deterioration in properties, which may complicate a possible sale.
3. For daily care, the stone is wiped with a soft cloth, rinsed under high pressure water and left on a flat surface to dry on its own.
4. If the jewelry does not shine, you can wipe it with diluted ammonia or soda solution.

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What is the magical power of diopside?

It is no secret that the stone has a complex power that can cleanse a person’s aura of negativity, filling it with positive energy. To activate this power, you need to place the stone in the third eye area and hold it for several minutes. It is important that the crystal used does not have a frame. Such sessions will help to qualitatively clear a person’s consciousness, while activating his thinking, and restoring the balance of internal energy.

It is known that people who have supernatural abilities use the mineral when reading magical signs coming to them from higher powers.

The stone helps to influence the consciousness of another person, to achieve his favor and even sympathy. To do this, it is enough to wear a ring with a precious stone on your left hand. At the same time, experts note that it is strongly not recommended to use the effect of the stone in bad undertakings. Diopside does not accept deception and is capable of immediately revealing the evil intent of the person who is committing fraud.

The power of a talisman decorated with diopside will help lawyers, doctors, esotericists and teachers.

Stone of Stars - Alison Baird

Alison Baird

Star Stone

PROLOGUE

In the beginning there were the Els, the first children of the Creator, whom the ancients called gods. They awoke in darkness, when the Earth and Heaven were not yet created, and contemplated the Creation. And when it ended, some of the Els decided to live among the stars of heaven, and they became Elirs - high gods. Others chose a refuge on Earth and became Elai, and they have many other names: geniuses, fairies, gods of land and sea. The Elai loved to create things, giving shape to stone and wood, jewelry and ores: it was they who created the enchanted talismans that guided the heroes of old times. But even before that, at the very dawn of time, they created a treasure for the Elir. It was like a semi-precious stone, transparent as water, and sparkling with countless facets, so small that it could fit in the palm of your hand. Although made from the substance of the Earth, it shone as if it contained all the stars of Heaven, and therefore its name was Meraalia, which means Stone of Stars. The Elais made it in order to show the high gods that the things of the lower Earth can be as beautiful as the things of heaven. And Modrian, who was the first among the Elir, accepted the jewel and adorned his crown with it.

But Modrian remained indifferent to the mortal world and its creatures and used these creatures for his pleasure, like slaves or toys. This split the gods, and some of them remained with Modrian, while the other part went against him. And the latter were more numerous than the former, and they, under the leadership of the sparkling god Atariel, fell into war against Modrian and his associates, and the stars shook in the firmament of heaven. In the last great battle, Atariel struck Modrian’s crown with his sword, and the sacred Stone was knocked out of its setting. He rushed towards the earth, shining like a falling star, and stopped in the north of the world, on the top of a mountain, which has since been called Elendor - the Holy Mountain. The jewel remained there even when Modrian was defeated and imprisoned in the Abyss of the Lost, which he himself created for others.

Now the land where the Stone of Stars fell is called Trinicia. There was a kingdom of ice and cold until the Elai came to live there, making this land green and fruitful with their art. In those days, many Elai took mortal girlfriends, and from these unions the Elai were born, a magical people, a people of fairies. Descended from the gods, they mastered many types of magic, and their time on Earth was many times longer than the time allotted to other mortals. The Elais took the magical people with them to live in Trinisia, taught them their arts and shared their wisdom.

The fairy people were especially favored by Elarainia, the goddess of the Morning Star. She often descended to Earth and walked among the Eleans, taking the form of a woman, and shared her knowledge with them. And the children of the gods loved her and called her the Queen of Heaven and the Queen of Night, because her star shone brighter than the others. She took many of them to her lands, which lay beyond the edge of the world. And she asked those of the magical people who remained to live in Trinicia to leave the Stone of Stars on the top of the mountain and guard it diligently, so that those who still serve Modrian would not come to take possession of it for the sake of their dirty deeds, because the forces of Heaven and Earth had united in the Stone, and it was predicted that the day would come when the Stone would crush its former owner, who would appear in strength and power to conquer the world.

And they built a temple, called the Temple of Heaven, on the top of the mountain, above the place where the Stone of Stars lay. Years passed, a great city was founded at the top, a sacred city where priests, soothsayers and astrologers lived, and that city was called Liamar - the city of the Star. Dragons guarded its gates, griffins guarded the temple, and there were many miracles in this city created by the Elai and their children: enchanted gems that commanded the winds and waters, shining stones that shed light instead of lamps, and a magic crystal that opened Eliana, the fairy queen , all the affairs of the world. But most wonderful of all miracles was the Stone of Stars. Heavenly spirits visited him, and the temple became a place of worship for them. Sometimes a fiery bird rose from the stone and flew around the temple: it was the sacred Elmir himself, the bird of heaven.

And there was no number of pilgrims seeking the holy city, for at one time the Eleys sent the sails of ships to all ends of the world, became friends with the peoples there, and so the Commonwealth was created, the earthly image of the Heavenly Empire, which created the harmony of Earth and Sky. However, it was not only reverence and piety that the Stone of Stars gave birth to among people, but also a thirst for possession. For he, being the heart of the country of the Eleans, was hated by the enemies of the Eleans, the cruel and warlike rulers who still worshiped Modrian.

And the day came when the queen and sorceress of the fairy people, Eliana, gathered her people and said to them thus:

– Although the dark god will never leave his prison in the Abyss, he still has servants. Among them there are mortals, there are also powerful spirits, and all of them will be given the power to rain down many blows on us. Wars will rage on Earth, the stars will fall from their places in the heights of Heaven, and darkness will cover the entire Earth for a while. And in the end, nothing will remain from the country of Trinicia, except memory, a fairy tale that children will listen to by the fire. And then Modrian will send a great warrior to devastate the world in his name. The power of the dark god will remain in this husband and lead him, as if Modrian himself had taken on a new form. Everything will flee before the face of the Prince of Darkness, and terrible hordes will follow in his footsteps.

The souls of the Eleians were filled with sorrow and fear, and they began to ask their queen for at least a word of encouragement. And she told them this prophecy:

PART ONE: PROPHECY

1 EILIA

And the dark days predicted by Queen Eliana came,” Eilia intoned, spreading her arms in a wide gesture. – Modrian, imprisoned in the Abyss, ordered his servants to attack the whole world in his name. The evil spirit Azarakh obeyed him, pulled the stars from their places in the heavens and threw them down to the ground. And some countries burned, others drowned in the sea, and the face of the moon was darkened, and darkness fell on the world. Not even the blessed island of Trinicia escaped the day of destruction. Then the Elei that were still alive left the ruins of their kingdom: some went to live in Eldimia, the country of the goddess of the Morning Star, which lies beyond the edge of the world, while others remained to dwell in the lands of mortals, where their people gradually scattered and died out. Thus the ales disappeared from our world. But their enchanting queen predicted to them many years ago that the triumph of their enemy would not last forever. The fairy people who hid in Eldimia will return, and the ancient Commonwealth will be recreated when Trina Lia comes to rule the Earth.

Eilia and the village children were collecting - or rather, should have been collecting - brushwood in the skinny bush, which she called the Enchanted Forest. Almost all the trunks on the Big Island had long ago been cut down for firewood and boards, leaving only young isolated groves like this. The trees leaned inland in the wind and seemed to be hiding from each other. But as Eilia told her story, the tiny forest changed in the eyes of the listeners: the trees grew taller, the shadow became thicker and greener. And Eilia transformed from image to image, each time becoming what she was talking about. Here she stands straight and regal in a vague otherworldly light, almost created by herself, and it is Queen Eliana herself who addresses them, but her voice becomes a threatening whisper of the devil Modrian, and the listeners freeze, turning pale.

Eilia actually just wanted to make the job easier by entertaining the kids with stories. But as soon as she started the fairy tale, both she and the children completely forgot about the brushwood. Only the fairy people and their sacred jewel were before their eyes, and the holy city on the mountain, and the merciless rain of falling stars. When Eilia finished her story, it became quiet. But the charm dissipated, and the children saw in front of them just a girl, looking a little younger than her seventeen years, thin, of average height. She was dressed as simply as they were - a white linen blouse under a tightly tied brown bodice, a skirt with a tattered old apron around her waist. And yet there was something different in her, something that other people don’t have. Maybe the eyes are so huge, completely dark gray in the shadows, but slightly sparkling with a lilac glow in the sun, like pieces of amethyst sometimes found among stones. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders and back, and it, too, was strangely changeable. Chestnut in the shade of the trees, they seemed dark in contrast to the pallor of her face, but then she stepped into the sun, and the rays played on them, turning them almost into twisted gold.

Famous varieties and interesting facts

Royal symbols of power were decorated with large sapphires. On the pages of the Bible it is said that Moses received the 10 commandments written on sapphire tablets. The monks say that Solomon's seal was made of sapphire.

“Star of Adam” is the largest representative of the species, caught in Sri Lanka in 2015. Weight – 281 g (1404.49 carats). Cost – about 175 million dollars.

“Star of India” is a gray sapphire with a blue tint. Its weight is 500 carats. Stars with six rays appear on the stone. Today it is among the exhibits of the American History Museum.

“Black Star of Queensland” is a black star sapphire that lay in the yard of an ordinary house for 10 years. His owners simply did not suspect that next to them lay a fortune weighing 1000 carats. The total price is $100 million.

Lone Star is a sapphire with the largest star known.