RARE08-2-31
Diopside (Var. Chrome Diopside)
Outokumpu, Finland
Miniature, 5.6 x 3.7 x 3.3 cm
SOLD
This amazing, doubly-terminated crystal is simply the best of its kind I have seen, and came as a surprise in the old collection of John Ydren of Los Angeles. It is doubly-terminated, complete, and lustrous, with a riveting, fake-looking, intense green color to it. This is the locality known for uvarovite garnet, but at the same time it was also an important locality for early study of many species of more common minerals, such as diopside, in crystalline form. As a classic, its worth something. But just as a neon green diopside, of really unique aspect and color, it leaps out and is good enough for any collector aside fro mits historic value, I think. I was really entranced with this piece.