Detailed information
Species
Dioptase
Dimensions
37 x 60 x 25
mm
Locality
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb Oshikoto Region (Otjikoto Region) Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
Bright emerald green Dioptase crystals up to 0.9 cm long richly coat the top surface of a Calcite matrix whose top is crystallised in the rhombic habit. Dioptase is a copper silicate and on this miniature, forms crystals down to sub-millimetre in size. Such small crystals allow more light to pass through and so appear a more bluish green; more the colour often seen of Dioptase when photographed but not colour corrected! The Dioptase varies between semi-transparent and translucent and all crystals have a bright glassy lustre.