Detailed information
Species
Dioptase, Calcite
Dimensions
75 x 112 x 47
mm
Weight
381 g
Locality
Tsumeb Mine Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
Dioptase is a rare and beautiful secondary copper silicate mineral species for which the famous Tsumeb mine in Namibia is renowned as the premier locality. The attraction of Tsumeb Dioptase is its combination of its exceptionally gemmy individual perfectly formed crystals with white Calcite that provides a stunning backdrop. This brightly coloured Dioptase display specimen is a rarity for Tsumeb in that the Dioptase crystals overgrow larger rhombic crystals of Calcite. The Dioptase crystals are all small (in the region to 1 to 2 mm in size), but are extremely gemmy and combined with being draped across a thick bed of coarse Calcite crystals produces a stunning rarely seen texture. Ex Weyand collection.