Dioptase

$700.00

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A spectacular large miniature of gemmy, dark emerald green Dioptase crystals richly covering a dome of rhombic Calcite crystals; the Calcite enveloping a matrix of rusty, brown Dolomite with a characteristic pinkish tinge. This fine example of Dioptase, a copper silicate, is from the Tsumeb mine in northern Namibia, which operated almost continuously from 1907 to around 1998. Although Tsumeb boasts a remarkable 340 mineral species and is type locality to 72, it is Dioptase that it is most popularly known. The Dioptase crystals typically average an equant 2 to 4 mm and although reasonably small, on display they appear distinct and impressive. Their colour appears a deeper shade of emerald green because of the darker coloured matrix beneath. A beautiful and lovely example of Dioptase from Tsumeb.