Dioptase on Calcite

Item Description

Dioptase from Tsumeb is of course the classic that everybody wants, but not all dioptase is created equal. Fran Allegra normally liked minerals fist-sized or larger for his office collection display (located in the Old Red Brick House across from the White House, with a view out the window straight at the White House!) For this piece, he made an exception to go for quality in a smaller size specimen compared to others here. The crystals are not the largest, but they have the BEST color and luster, like green sugar sprinkles in huge size (for sprinkles, anyhow). They run to 4 mm, and there are a thousand of them draped over sparkling stark white calcite rhombohedra. It creates a gorgeous, and unique, contrast. This is a stunning specimen that has a big visual impact, as it sits. Comes with custom lucite display base. It is complete 360 degrees, all around. The piece is in exquisite condition and simply sparkles from across a room. It is a truly magnificent example of this particular style for a place and time, a cross section of Tsumeb mining history.