The Black Star of India
While the diopside or chromium diopside is known for its deep green colour, the star diopside is black (or even greenish-black).
Its chemical composition is CaMgSi2O6. It is a calcomagnesium silicate with a hardness ranging from 5 à 6 on the Mohs scale.
It owes its name to the four rays on its surface, which are in fact magnetite inclusions. This asterism makes it particularly unique and sought-after.
Because it can exhibit such magnetism, star diopside is very popular for therapeutic use in metaphysical practice.
Star diopside can sometimes be confused with gemstones such as hiddenite, moldavite, peridite, emerald, idocrase or sapphire.
Today, most star diopsides come fromIndia where it is nicknamed the Black Star of India ".
Smaller smaller deposits of star diopside have been discovered in Austriain Finland, à Madagascarin Myanmarin South Africain Sri Lanka and the United States.
Lithotherapy
You may find diopside under the name of "tear stone". tear stone "This stone is said to induce tears, relieving sadness and purifying sorrow.
In lithotherapy, star diopside is often used to soothing people who may be suffering from childhood traumas, as it can be used to soothe
promotesrootedness in the present.
It is also useful during emotional shocks or when making important decisions. In meditation, this stone helps to free the mind and gain perspective.
Quote : "Life, now, was unfolding before me, constantly and visibly, like summer flowers dropping fan-shaped petals on eternal ground."
Sewda or the diopside in the spotlight
You will find star diopside in the center of my painting "SEWDA"(black in Maltese). I created this painting on my return from a buying trip to India:
Dazzled by the mirror palace of Amber Palace in Rajasthan, I came back with my head and heart filled with rich and warm colours. I wanted to sublimate the star stone of India "the black star" (the star diopside) by adorning it with a multitude of stones and crystals.
You can find my Sewda painting in my portfolio here :
