Dioptase (circa 1939) ex. Russell Jones Coll

Item Description

I traded this specimen from Evan Jones, the dealer who dispersed the Russell Jones collection (no family relation), and it comes with his label, noting the date from the catalogue, and a sticker price of $2800, which is what I traded for it. This specimen was obtained by collector Russell Jones in 1939, according to his catalogue. Dioptase from Tsumeb, this we all know, but much Tsumeb dioptase of this quality did not come to market until the 1970s and 1980s. There is a tendency to assume that all fine dioptase from Africa came from Tsumeb. However, what I did not even know til I saw my first piece some years ago was that this small mine some distance away, Guchab, ACTUALLY produced the first great Namibian dioptase in the 1930s, long before the richness of Tsumeb dioptase was known to the collecting community at large. Guchab is also famous for incredible large Descloizite crystals. It turns out that these dioptase specimens were much more rare then, and remain much more rare today as well. This specimen is a gorgeous small cabinet piece by any standard, no matter where it is from. It has sharp crystals to just over 1 cm smothering a matrix coated with calcite. The matrix is literally a gangue rock, not ore as at Tsumeb. Also, the calcite is subtly different in style from Tsumeb...more sparkly, for one. The crystals are not the small sharp rhomobohedra you usually see with Tsumeb dioptase, but rather little jewel-like crystals of more complexity, rhombs modified by other terminations. So, in person, this piece REALLY is distinct. It does not at all look Tsumeby (is that a word?) on careful study, once you know to be aware of the differences. I traded this specimen from Evan Jones, the dealer who sold the Russell Jones collection (no family relation), and it comes with his label, noting the date from the catalogue, and a sticker price of $2800. I believed then and I believe now this is worth at least the $3000 or so it would be worth if it were from Tsumeb, anyhow - and, probably a bit more due to the rarity premium we can place on the historic location. Again, no matter where its from, its a big piece of good size, and with superb crystals upon it, that stands on its own merits.