Dioptase with Plancheite

Item Description

Dioptase is known from a few world localities in superb quality specimens, but over the last few years there have been some wonderful specimens coming out of the Pool Department of the Congo (Brazzaville). These specimens show great color, with larger sized crystals and good gemminess. This specimen hosts sharp, lustrous, rich emerald green color Dioptase crystals associated with a thin layer of soft blue Plancheite on matrix creating an attractive overall piece. It's in good shape overall though a few crystals are contacted on the edges where they grew up against the pocket wall. The largest Dioptase measures 2.0 cm long. This find seemed to be somewhat limited, and hopefully will produce more of this SUPERB quality Dioptase. With the price of Tsumeb Dioptase specimens rising daily, this is a great opportunity to snag a "Tsumeb"-like specimen of this species for a fraction of the price.