Dioptase with Plancheite, Shattuckite and micro Willemite

Item Description

Dioptase is known from a few world localities in superb quality specimens, but recently there was a find of new material in the Pool Department of the Congo (Brazzaville). These specimens show great color, with larger sized crystals and EXCELLENT gemminess. This particular specimen features sharp, lustrous, gemmy, rich emerald green color Dioptase crystals - one of which is actually doubly-terminated - measuring up to 1.6 cm forming a very attractive overall small cabinet display specimen. The matrix is coated by soft / light blue colored botyroidal Plancheite sitting above a layer of much darker blue micro spherical Shattuckite. Both the Plancheite and the Shattuckite were analyzed by John Rakovan of the University of Miami of Ohio via powder X-ray diffraction and comparison of data to the JCPDS powder diffraction database (PDF2). If you would like a copy of this analysis, please let us know. If that's not enough, ADDITIONALLY: There are some small gem quality hexagonal prismatic crystals of WILLEMITE! on the specimen, which is the FIRST report of the species from Kimbedi. For reference, John Rakovan did the analysis on the Mimetite crystals as well. Most of the Dioptase crystals are damage free, but a few of them are nicked, but it's such a wonderful association specimen with great aesthetics, quality, color and size. 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"-type quality specimen of this species for a fraction of the price. Priced at $950 in the inventory.