Dioptase with Plancheite (old specimen)

Item Description

A classic old-time specimen (dating back several decades) of the famous Reneville Dioptases. These pieces and nearly equal to the color and quality of the famous pieces from the Tsumeb Mine in Namibia, which are universally regarded as the best examples of the species ever found. This piece hosts many sharp, lustrous, gemmy, rich emerald green trigonal prisms of Dioptase measuring up to 1.1 cm line the interior of this attractive small cabinet display specimen. What really sets this piece apart from a Tsumeb specimen is the association of the copper silicate, Plancheite, represented in the form of small pale blue "balls" on top of the Dioptase crystals along with darker blue massive zones of Plancheite near the periphery of the specimen. No real damage that I can see with the naked eye, with the exception of the edges where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. Valued at $750 in the inventory. This area is completely mined out, so you won't see any new Dioptase specimens from Renéville on the market, so don't pass this one up if you're a fan of Dioptase, copper minerals, or specimens from the Congo.