Dioptase on Calcite ex Larson, Wilber, Graeber, Halpern

Item Description

The large dioptase crystal measures 2 cm tip to tip and positively glows with electric green color within, has fabulous luster, and a stunning perch on sparkly matrix. The photos and video say it all! This is a gorgeous specimen for the size range. This remarkably sculptural dioptase on sparkling calcite specimen had made the rounds in the old-world collecting community of Fallbrook California for decades, before heading north to Jack's house in the early 2000s when it was sold to him from the private collection of Cal Graeber (worldwide small cab specimens). It was owned by Karla Larson (who had an aesthetic miniatures collection while married to Bill Larson of Pala Intl), and then sold to the legendary collector and arch-perfectionist Dave Wilber, who sold it to Cal Graeber circa 1972 according to the accompanying label (scroll right to see labels). This would make it the earliest fine documented dioptase of this quality I have seen. It has been with Jack for nearly 20 years, since then. Literally, it sparkles and glows like a jewel. It is simply one of the prettiest examples I have seen, of the many styles of dioptase, in this size range. You can see the label from over a decade ago, and you can see what Jack paid for it when it sold from the Graeber personal collection. We value it considerably higher now. These are gone...specimens like this only come about out of the finest of the older collections, the people who were willing to pay a premium at the time for the best of a table full of such dioptase when they were once, briefly, common. So as for provenance, that is a bonus - the specimen stands on its own merit.