Dioptase with Mimetite

Item Description

A great association specimen from the Ntola Mine in the Mindouli area of Rep. of Congo. This piece was mined in 2019, and is certainly one 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. Most collectors love Dioptase, but there aren't that many world localities that produce excellent specimens. We were fortunate to purchase a small parcel of these attractive specimens from the Mindouli area in Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville). This specimen hosts fine quality, lustrous, rich emerald green trigonal crystals of Dioptase sitting on oxidized matrix. Additionally, and most importantly, upon close inspections there are many micro orange-yellow Mimetite crystals all over the piece. Dioptase and Mimetite are rarely found together in nature, and the combination of the yellow and green is wonderful. For the most part, the piece is in great shape, but there are some contacts around the periphery where it was removed from the pocket wall. 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 of combined with the fact that Dioptase prices are on the rise makes this a desirable and eye-catching specimen from this exciting locality in Republic of Congo.