Dioptase on Shattuckite

Item Description

Most collectors love Dioptase, but there aren't that many world localities that produce excellent crystallized specimens. We were fortunate to purchase a small parcel of these brand new specimens from the Mindouli area in Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville). This piece hosts many excellent, sharp, very well-formed, textbook trigonal prisms of rich emerald green Dioptase measuring up to 1.3 cm sitting on an oxidized matrix coated by soft powder blue Shattuckite (XRD confirmed). Some of the Dioptase crystals are fairly gemmy when backlit. The quality of the Dioptase with the rare Shattuckite association, and the fact that the piece is in excellent condition make this a very desirable and colorful display specimen for any fan of secondary copper minerals or specimens from Republic on Congo. PLEASE NOTE: These specimens were initially reported as coming from the Mpita Mine, but we have subsequently been informed that they are actually from the Ntola Mine. This piece was mined in January of 2019.