Star Diopside

Refractive Index : 1.701 – 1.675 (+0.029 – 0.010)

Optical Characteristic : DR, B+, AGG

Specific Gravity : 3.29 (+0.11 – 0.07)

Formula : CaMgSi2O6

Crystal System : Monoclinic

Variety/Species : Diopside

Species/Group : Pyroxene group

Birefringence : 0.024 to 0.030

Dispersion : N/A

Hardness : 5.5 to 6

Toughness : poor

Ultrasonic : risky

Steam : Never

UV Long : weak

UV Short : Inert

Pleochroism : 2 or 3 colors

Strength : weak to strong

Pleochroism Colors : None

Heat : fusible

Acids : Avoid hydrofluoric acid

Light : stable

Polish Luster : vitreous to resinous

Fracture : conchoidal, to uneven

Fracture Luster : Vitreous to resinous

Clarity Type : N/A

Tones : N/A

Saturations : N/A

Cause of Color : Green – chromuum; green/brown- iron

Enhancements : none

Cleavage : perfect 1 direction.

Color Range : Dark: Green, black Greenish, Blackish

Transparency : Semitransparent to opaque

Phenomena : Adularescence, 4 ray star, 6 ray star most often 4 ray

Separations : Star Diopside from-
Black star sapphire: 4 rays (possibly), RI, SG

Identifying Characteristics and information
Star usually has 4 rays instead of 6.

May show only 2 colors of pleochoroism.

Spectral Data
5050 line is common.

Trade Names and Misnomers
Indian Star Sapphire(M)
Star Diopside
Star of India(M)

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