Dioptase on Cerussite

Item Description

This sparkling jewel of a miniature is literally the kind of apex combination specimen that makes Tsumeb famous, and collecting Tsumeb specimens so enjoyable and varied. It is, first of all, simply gorgeous. The dioptase looks like glass or sugar sprinkles, with the top percentile of luster for the species, and scintillates in even subdued light. The cerussite is light and bright, as we say - not dark and gloomy, clouded, or dull. It looks like polished glass. It is transparent, and 3.1 cm across. It is nearly pristine with just a few very tiny dings here or there which we deem insignificant, seen only close up (and anyways, can be remediated and hidden easily by a quick trip to a good lab for a bit of prep). The contrast of the two is unique to Tsumeb, but in this quality is almost never seen. We rate this quite literal Tsumeb jewel as one of our favorite miniatures among a suite of at least 1000 fine Tsumeb miniatures in the Pohl collection. It is 360 degrees, complete all around, and a full competitive quality miniature. While Tsumeb is famous for both species, it is the combinations of such things that really elevate Tsumeb collecting and these specimens of this quality are so ungodly rare. It would date from the 1970s or early 1980s finds, judging by both the style and her collection number (43,600 out of over 100,000 in the collection). Valued $5000-plus. Lastly, it is from the core Tsumeb miniatures suite, the top few hundred miniatures set aside in a special showcase, out of nearly 13,000 Tsumeb specimens amassed by Dr. Pohl in her long lifetime of collecting - that says something!