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 Post subject: Untreated Russian Chrome Diopside vs. Synthetic or Imitation
PostPosted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 7:40 pm 
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Hi,

I'm new to gemology, and trying to teach myself. I've purchased a "Chrome Diopside," but can't prove to my satisfaction that it is the real deal. It is relatively light (not heavy). It has the proper RI. That's as far as I've gotten.

I have a refractometer, spectroscope, dichroscope, polariscope, loupe, and SW/LW UV light. I can figure out how to use them.

Can anyone tell me, more or less, step by step, what I should be looking for with each instrument to determine, positively, that it IS really chrome diopside (or not)?

1) refractometer = RI index
2) UV light = does it flouresce
3) dichroscope = is it SR or DR
4) loupe = telltale inclusions
5) spectroscope = does it fit the diopside reading

Is that all correct? Am I missing anything important? Will those readings give me a definitive answer?

Thanks for any little bit of help I can get!!!!!!!
Sue in Colorado


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 Post subject: Re: Untreated Russian Chrome Diopside vs. Synthetic or Imita
PostPosted: Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:47 pm 
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm
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Location: San Francisco
For the general properties of diopside, click HERE

Diopside is not made synthetically for commercial purposes.

I would look for chromium absorption with the spectroscope.
Courtesy of http://www.geminterest.com
Image

The absorption in the red indicates chromium is present.
Typically chrome Diopside will display a doublet at 690nm 670, 655 635

There are some photos of typical inclusions seen in dioside on www,geminterest


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 Post subject: Re: Untreated Russian Chrome Diopside vs. Synthetic or Imita
PostPosted: Wed Aug 08, 2012 9:13 am 
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Thank you. I'll give it a shot.
Sue


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 Post subject: Re: Untreated Russian Chrome Diopside vs. Synthetic or Imita
PostPosted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:53 am 
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Location: hill afb
Sue I just started cutting a parcel I purchase from a reliable rough dealer. It is fully saturated and quite dark. Very typical of diopside. Its very soft and fractures easily. Most likely due to the way it was mined. One I was able to get past the surface damage it cut nice and polished out beautifully with chrome oxide and vinegar. Really to dark for.my taste but my customer was instantly in love so who am I to judge. I haven't witnessed any that was anything but typical in color. That's not to say some doesn't exist but I have yet to see any. I personally would love diopside if it were lighter but that's just me. Hope you have the real deal let us know the results


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