Dioptase (classic material)

Item Description

There is no argument that Dioptase is at its best when its from Tsumeb. This beloved copper silicate species is one of the most colorful, desirable and well-known minerals extant. The top pieces from the famed Tsumeb Mine are the most recognized, classic and hands down most beautiful crystals of the species in the mineral world, highly sought after by collectors today. Most of them were mined over 50 years ago, so they are seldom seen on the market. The crystals on this specimen exhibit a beautiful rich emerald green color (impossible to replicate in photos) which made these specimens so famous, and they GLOW with color when backlit. The crystals measure up to about 1.0 cm and feature sharp, lustrous and very well-formed faces with an excellent textbook trigonal shape. The crystals themselves are in good condition overall and look beautiful up close. Very minor roughness in a few spots, but it's largely in very good shape. From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures". Priced at $2,000 retail.