Dioptase on Plancheite

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This is a huge plate of matrix-bound dioptase crystals perched on contrasting matrix of rolling blue plancheite (and in itself a fabulously rich specimen for this species!). This is classic material found here about 15 years ago, although seldom seen in specimens so large and showy. The crystals here reach fully 2 cm in size, many of them doubly terminated. Most are pristine, though a few have minor damage, insignificant in context. Part of the reason large plates from this locality are so rare is that they form upon crusts inside cavities in the rock, and generally these are small and tight pockets. Hence, large pieces like this are difficult to get out. This piece is not repaired, but it has been stabilized with glue on the backside to ensure it stays together, once it was removed from the rock matrix behind it. For the price, you seldom get so much dioptase bang for the buck (certainly not from Tsumeb!), and these crystals in form plus overall matrix appearance are so very different from anything you see from Tsumeb. I like knowing that, for the price, you can get among the best of this locality for the cost of a frankly mediocre large Tsumeb specimen...that translates to a much more significant rock fo ryour money invested, a good quality!