Dioptase (unusual form)

Item Description

Dioptase is one of those species that is instantly recognizable and almost universally beloved. With that said, there are still few localities that produce some fine quality specimens. In 2019 we were quite pleased to acquire a parcel of some these exciting and attractive specimens from the Mpita Mine. These are not your typical specimens from the Kimbedi area as they feature beautiful semi-spherical clusters. The color of the crystals is superb, with that classic emerald green hue, and they are highly lustrous to boot. This piece is what some people might refer to as a "cast" (epimorph / perimorph), with hollow spherical "balls" that some have suggested that these could be pseudomorphs of Dioptase replacing a spherical copper silicate mineral like Plancheite. Others have thought these Dioptase groups could have formed after bubbles of clay in the pocket during formation. You can spend a great deal of time with this one under the microscope. When you consider the high prices being paid for Tsumeb Dioptase specimens today, this piece is a great bargain by comparison and still has a bit of the "Tsumeb"-esque quality to it. This piece comes from the famous find in 2019.