Dioptase and Cerussite on Calcite

Item Description

What makes this Tsumeb Dioptase so gorgeous and unique in style is the early generation of small, sparkling Dioptase crystals contrasting with a later generation of larger, isolated crystals to an amazing 2 cm in size, all on a snow-white matrix of large Calcite crystals. The big opaque white Calcites are up to 2.8 cm across, atop gray altered limestone matrix. The matrix is veined with the white Calcite and it all fluoresces nicely red under short wave UV. The small, gemmy, bright emerald green Dioptase crystals are heavily sprinkled preferentially on the tops of the white Calcite rhombs like the green sugar on Christmas cookies! This is already a rare style for Tsumeb, from a few finds of the mid 1980s and possibly a few older pockets as well. The largest crystal is to 1.7 cm, perfectly terminated. The large Dioptase crystals are super lustrous and are a dark, rich emerald green with their transparency is revealed by backlighting. A large, accenting but partial, translucent beige Cerussite crystal is present at one corner of the piece. This is, overall, a very colorful and starkly contrasting piece with two generations of Dioptase crystals here, which adds real pizzazz. It is markedly different than most other styles from Tsumeb and remains, despite dioptase finds elsewhere, unique to Tsumeb in style. Valued $5000-7500.