Guide
Dioptase specimens for sale
202 for sale · $100–$165,000 USD
882 in the gallery
Dioptase is a copper silicate mineral that forms deep emerald-green crystals. It commonly occurs in prismatic to tabular habit and can exhibit a glassy to vitreous lustre, which makes its saturated color particularly striking under light. Among the best known specimens are from Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, and Kazakhstan, where rich, gemmy crystals have attracted collectors for generations.
- Formula
- CuSiO3 · H2O
- Rarity
- Rare
- Stability
- Moderately Stable
- Collector interest
- Very High Interest
- Classification notes
- Silicates; Cyclosilicates (ring silicates)
Key characteristics
- Crystal system
- trigonal
- Mohs hardness
- 5
- Specific gravity
- 3.28–3.35
- Luster
- vitreous
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Color
- green, blue
- Streak
- white, green
- Cleavage
- perfect
- Fracture
- conchoidal, uneven
- Crystal habit
- rhombohedral, prismatic, druzy, granular, massive
- Gem mineral
- Classic / historic
Buy Dioptase specimens
View all 202Where Dioptase is found
Top localities
- Tsumeb71 specimens
- Renéville39 specimens
- Mindouli36 specimens
- Tantara Mine36 specimens
- Kaokoveld Plateau34 specimens
- Altyn-Tyube area31 specimens
- Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine18 specimens
- N'tola Mine16 specimens
- Kimbedi13 specimens
- Milpillas Mine12 specimens
Guides
All guides
Guide
Dioptase from Tsumeb, Namibia
Dioptase, Tsumeb (Namibia): deep emerald-green crystals with bluish cast, glassy luster, sharp terminations on calcite, a collector’s prized, iconic locality.Read guide
Guide
Dioptase from Christmas Mine, Arizona, USA
Dioptase from Christmas Mine, Arizona — emerald-green microcrystals with calcite contrast; a classic copper locality prized for provenance and character.Read guide
Guide
Dioptase from Altyn‑Tyube dioptase deposit, Kazakhstan
Altyn-Tyube dioptase, Kazakhstan - the type locality famed for emerald-green crystals, intense glow, and copper-oxide associations prized by collectors.Read guideAbout Dioptase
Collectors prize dioptase for its intense color and contrasting associations with quartz, malachite, and chrysocolla in the same pocket. Fine crystals often occur as sharp, lustrous prisms or clusters, sometimes accompanied by associated minerals that enhance display value. Although the mineral can be fragile, well-formed dioptase from classic localities remains a sought-after addition to mature collections, prized for both aesthetic appeal and crystal morphology.
