Chrome Diopside

Chrome diopside sometimes called Siberian Emerald is a calcium magnesium silicate mineral with heavy concentrations of chromium giving it its rich green color just like emerald although not related. The primary source comes from Eastern Siberia, Russia in Yakutia where it can only be mined for a very short period of time each year because of the regions extreme temperatures as low as -60℉ (-51℃) where it is buried under thick permafrost too difficult to dig most of the year. For those who admire the rich greens of Emerald, Chrome Diopside is a more affordable must have gem with their deep frozen forest greens. Despite their rarity the price is not reflective of the rarity due to the lack of awareness, so collectors are buying these while the price is still low

Hardness: 5.5 – 6.5
Composition: CaMgSi₂O₆