SEDAGEMS

 BLACK STAR DIOPSIDE

MINED IN INDIA

HARDNESS MOHS SCALE 5.5

WEIGHT OF PARCEL 8  CTS

SIZE 7.3X5.2 MM APP

THE PHOTOS WERE TAKEN UNDER THE FULL SUNLIGHT. 

Black Star Diopside is rated at 5.5 on Moh's Scale of Hardness and though it is suitable for jewelry purposes, care should be taken with this stone for it is relatively soft and brittle. This opaque stone is generally black in color but can occasionally be found with shades of green. Black Star Diopside exhibits a star like phenomenon known as Asterism. These stones contain inclusions in the form of needles that align to produce the white 4-rayed star. It is unique in this sense because it is the only gemstone to exhibit a 4-rayed star. Sometimes needle-like surface crystalline inclusions are visible, particularly when viewed from below.

Black Star Diopsides are occasionally confused with Black Star Sapphires. However, the sure-fire way to
differentiate the two stones is by viewing the rays of the star. A Black Star Diopside will exhibit four rays
whereas the Black Star Sapphire will exhibit six (occasionally twelve), rays. This difference is caused by the physical make-up of each of the stones and the presence of a different number of crystal faces for the light to refract off of.