Plancheite

$120.00

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Plancheite, a copper silicate hydroxide hydrate, is actually quite rare at Tsumeb mine. This thumbnail specimen is quite delightful. It's upper surface, measuring 1.5 x 1.2 cm, is coated in tiny rhombic Calcite crystals upon which are richly scattered the most vivid and gemmy euhedral Dioptase crystals up to about 1 mm in length. Their colour is more of a bluish green as opposed to the more usually deep emerald green. The Dioptase crystals are more concentrated in one corner and become sparser towards the other end of the specimen where sub-0.5 mm diameter radiating sprays of velvety, to silky, pale turquoise blue Plancheite coats the Calcite crystals. Yellowish green Duftite is present in minor amounts. A really lovely display under the microscope.