Detailed information
Species
Dioptase, Calcite
Dimensions
78 x 110 x 57
mm
Weight
451 g
Locality
Tsumeb Mine Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region Namibia
Condition
No recorded repairs
Tsumeb mine is renowned for its stunning diversity in mineral species and for the beautiful forms which many of these take. However, sometimes it is not just a single species which needs to be considered but the intimate combinations too. For example, Tsumeb is rightly regarded as the world's premier locality for Dioptase and it has indeed furnished museums and collectors cabinets with some of the largest and most intensely coloured glossy crystals. However, it is those that when combined with a background of white or colourless Calcite look most impressive and obtain the highest prices. Interestingly, the larger Dioptase crystals are usually associated with massive white Calcite rather than well-defined crystals. This brightly coloured Dioptase display specimen is a rarity in that the Dioptase crystals overgrow excellent 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.