Dioptase with Calcite (classic material)

Item Description

Tsumeb is among the greatest localities in the history of mineral collecting, because a large number of species have been found, and a good number of them are considered the best examples of their respective species ever found. Dioptase is at its best when its from Tsumeb. The top pieces are the most recognized, classic and hands down most beautiful crystals of the species in the mineral world. The finest examples of Dioptase from this most prolific locality are highly sought after by collectors today, as most of them were mined over 50 years ago, so they are seldom seen on the market. The crystals on this specimen exhibit a beautiful rich emerald green color (impossible to replicate in photos) which made these specimens so famous, and they show electric flashes of color internally when backlit. The crystals measure up to about 5 mm and feature sharp, lustrous and very well-formed faces with textbook trigonal shape. The crystals themselves are in good condition, only a little bit of roughness in areas, they look beautiful with the associated Calcite.
This piece comes from the personal collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman, the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. Dave is now retired from mining, but he worked for decades in various mines underground in Colorado, as a miner, mechanic, engineer, shift boss and foreman. His biggest claim to fame is that he was the foreman and the primary person in charge of mining and specimen recovery at the Sweet Home Mine in Colorado in the 1970s alongside his son-in-law, Rich Kosnar. This project what was the FIRST ever operation for specimen recovery at this historic locality. A full-page photograph of Dave can be seen mining underground at the Sweet Home in on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".