Dioptase with Mimetite

Item Description

A colorful and uncommon association specimen from the Ntola Mine in the Mindouli area of Republic of the Congo. This piece came out in 2019, and this find certainly produced some of the more interesting pieces of Dioptase to come out of any locality in the entire country in recent years. 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. Dioptase is a beloved mineral, but there aren't that many world localities that produce excellent specimens, so these newer pieces from Mindouli were a welcome addition to the market. We were fortunate to purchase a small parcel of these attractive specimens, but we haven't seen more since. This specimen hosts fine quality, lustrous, gemmy, rich emerald green trigonal crystals of Dioptase sitting on matrix. Additionally, and most importantly, upon close inspections there are many micro orange-yellow Mimetite crystals which create a fantastic contrast against the Dioptase. I should be noted that Dioptase and Mimetite are rarely found together in nature, and the combination of the yellow and green is wonderful. I had a lot of fun looking at this piece under the microscope, and we have photographed it with a CANON MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate the quality. The rare association and beautiful hues, makes this a desirable and eye-catching specimen from this exciting locality in Republic of the Congo.