Chrome Diopside is a mineral with a hardness of 5 to 6 and a greenish, brownish or bluish-green color. Chrome Diopside is closely related to the gemstone known as Emerald.
It can be found in most parts of the world but primarily in Brazil and Siberia. Chrome Diopside is mined using underground tunnels, riverbeds and beach sands. When found, Chrome Diopside is often faceted into gems used in jewelry.
The mineral is an abundant replacement of pyroxene in peridotite, a dark igneous rock composed of olivine and a high magnesium component. Diopside has been documented as common worldwide north of the United States and Norway in igneous rocks.
1. What Are Its Compounds?
Chrome Diopside is used in the production of Chromium. It is added to lead, cobalt and nickel to reduce their corrosion. Chromium oxide can be heated and mixed with nickel to produce NiCrO2 (nickel-chrome oxide), which can be further refined into other Chromium compounds like Cr2O3 and CrO3. Chrome diopside is also used in some types of glass as a coloring agent.
2. What Are Its Properties?
Chrome Diopside is a compound of Fe3+ in which Chromium is the dominant ion. It is mainly used as an alloying component. Chrome Diopside has a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs’ scale and is generally translucent but opaque in color except when containing Chromium, which allows light to reflect or refract through the crystal.
3. What Are Its Uses?
Chrome Diopside can be used in several different types of alloys. In steel, it is added to increase the mutilation resistance and decrease the chance of corrosion. Adding chrome diopside can improve the grain structure of tool steel and thus facilitate cutting operations. Chrome Diopside is added to stainless steel to increase its strength without compromising its corrosion resistance.
4. How Is It Formed?
Chrome diopside is believed to form by the metamorphosis of chromium minerals, including chromite and vanadium chromite. It is usually found with crude oil deposits and oil shale. Chrome Diopside is also associated with granodiorite, which can be formed from the metamorphosis of igneous and sedimentary rock, like schist. Chrome Diopside is also found in kyanite and garnet.
5. How Is It Mined?
Chrome Diopside is usually mined from mines under the sea. The minerals that makeup Chrome Diopside are found in its host rocks, mostly along with crude oil deposits. The chemical composition of Chrome Diopside varies depending on the exact host rocks and the chemical reactions they undergo while forming.
6. What Is Its History?
Chrome Diopside has been mined for centuries for decorative and ornamental purposes. The Romans first mentioned Chrome Diopside, who used it as a part of their bronze statues. The use of chrome diopside in metals as a component of steel and stainless steel dates back to the 17th century when the German chemist Andreas Sigismund Marggraf discovered Chrome Diopside in 1675 with his assistant Johann Friedrich. They used the mineral to make steel from steel bars instead of ferrite, producing a red or green sheen on the surface when heated.
7. Why Is It So Special?
Chrome Diopside is a rare mineral with applications that can improve manufacturing quality and other metals. It is introduced to steel, for example, to make it more resistant to corrosion. Chrome Diopside is also the main ingredient in Chromium Oxide, which is used in the production of Chromium. Chrome Diopside can be further refined into other compounds of Chromium like Cr2O3 and CrO3.
Lastly, Chrome Diopside is very rare and plays an important role in the Chromium-based chemical industry. Chrome Diopside is not found in many locations but has many applications that can improve manufacturing quality and other metals.