Dioptase on Calcite ex. Halpern Collection

Item Description

Click here for a video of this specimen!

Tsumeb is considered the greatest mine of all time, and high among its many treasures are its Dioptase specimens, especially those on a matrix of white Calcite. This small cabinet specimen certainly doesn't disappoint, with its lustrous and gemmy, 1-3 mm Dioptase crystals spread across the white Calcite matrix. Glittering, scintillating, beautiful, mesmerizing: take your pick. Those all apply as you move the specimen under the light. I could take a hundred good pics, and they still wouldn't fully allow you to appreciate the splendor of this piece. You have to imagine it is like pouring green sugar sparkles over snow, for contrast! Not surprisingly, this was obtained from the Zweibels, the greatest of Tsumeb mineral dealers who were one of the primary sources of great Tsumeb material during its heyday in the 70s and 80's. This would have been found in the mid-1980's. Valued $2000-2500