Cushion Cut Oval Alexandrite Gemstones
Looking for a fine green gem, with excellent clarity and rich? What are your options? Traditional choice is emerald, while emerald is famous for its color than its clarity. Tsavorite Garnet came to market in 1970 and became the second choice in fine green stones. High tsavorite as not only an excellent green was saturated, it had superior brightness, clarity and hardness. The only problem is that tsavorite has become so popular that prices went as high or higher than emerald.
The choice followed was a rare variety of tourmaline green tourmaline known as chromium. As tsavorite garnet, chrome tourmaline is found in East Africa and colored by traces of chromium and vanadium. And as tsavorite, chrome tourmaline is a fine point visually pure forest green with a slightly yellowish to bluish secondary hue. But, chrome tourmaline were found to be as rare and expensive as garnet tsavorite.
Green Left were only stones peridot and green tourmaline usual. Peridot tended to yellowish or olive green, and never had deeper tones of tsavorite and chrome tourmaline. Ordinary green tourmaline saturation rarely had wonderful rare chrome version.
This situation began to change in 1988, when a major new find href = "http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/about-chrome-diopside.php"> chrome-bearing diopside was found in Russia. Known as chrome diopside, the material did indeed begin to reach the market until after the Berlin Wall fell, the end of 1989. But here finally was a rich green gem at an affordable price - under $ 100 a carat in size smaller.
diopside found in Russia is important in Eastern Siberia near the famous diamond mines. This colorful chrome diopside is the same element that gives color ruby, emerald and alexandrite. The color was spectacular, literally lights up with green chrome diopside. However, there are some limitations in this jam. In First, chrome diopside may suffer in fact, too much green - in more sizes can be very dark tone. Careful cutting is required dimensions more easy to maintain shallow angles to improve brightness. But in smaller (under 2 carats), the color is exceptionally vivid and fresh.
Other limitations is that diopside is much softer than tsavorite garnet or tourmaline. To 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, Chrome diopside is not suitable for rings. But it is well suited for earrings and pendants, and looks stunning when set in gold. Jewelry Diopside should be stored carefully to avoid scratches from rocks harder.
About the Author:
GemSelect is a leading online dealer in fine gemstones, specializing in sapphire, spinel, tourmaline and zircon. Fine Tsavorite Garnet
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Chrome Diopside Gems
Shawn O'Sullivan of JTV on alexandrite in Tucson
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