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ex. Charlie Key
A most colorful specimen due to the unusual richness of the associated chrysocolla, which makes for striking contrast to the brilliantly green dioptase. Like the above specimen, this is of VERY unusual quality for the location in both condition and overall aesthetics. The closeups show clearly that the quality of the dioptase is good in its own right, aside from the added value of the contrasting association. Lastly, most specimens with any decent chrysocolla I have seen from here have "matrixy" look to them...here the chrysocolla itself IS specimen-worthy in that the botryoidal grapelike growths are more than just "background".
ex. Charlie Key
A large and stunning specimen of classic old Congo dioptase, in a specimen of rare size and calibre for the locality. Reneville is knock for large blocky crystals as you see here. They have not quite the lustre of a Tsumeb dioptase (or the best Kaokoveld pieces), but have even deeper green color to them. This would represent a specimen of excellent quality, most likely from the late 1960s or early 1970s I am told.
ex. Charlie Key
These dioptase are perhaps smallish crystals, you are thinking. But the quality is outstanding...razor sharp, translucent, and perched in glistening and velvety matrix of chrysocolla?! It is a miniature that glows with color and perfection.
ex. Charlie Key
A glowing, translucent crystal of really quite large size for the locality AND the species....when lit from behind, it is extremely beautiful in a glowing, softly colored way that Tsmeb dioptases, darker in color, are not.This piece is flattish on the backside, but just contacted and not damaged. It LOOKS like a Tsumeb diop at first glance, because of teh size, but the color is lighter and the inner core more translucent than you'd expect from Tsumeb. But at first glance, it looks like a 5k Tsumeb toenail!
ex. Charlie Key
Another exceptional shattuck/diop combo! These are very rare, and I have never seen but a few of them out of the small batches of the last few years trickling out of this locality. This piece has a rather large vug, and thus tons of shattuckite for the money...its probably more valuable, if less unique, split in half to sell as two shattuckite specimens. However, I think the novelty value of such a large intact pocket is worth keeping intact, even if its harder to photograph accurately. In person, its really impressive for the depth and rolling interior that is hard to show here
ex. Charlie Key
3-dimensional, more so in person! SHARP dioptase crystals in an unusual association with rich velvet malachite, makes this a very desirable Kaokoveld piece with different aesthetics than you normally see from here. It is very 3-dimensional and the dioptase leaps off in person, more so than the pics indicate. some shards of quartz provide a bit of color contrast.
ex. Charlie Key
A shockingly large, doubly-terminated, translucent crystal of dioptase! This is nearly as large as a crystal of this species can get in length, if not thickness. It is flattish, contacted natrually, in back, but form teh front shows all bevels and looks quite 3-dimensional. It has one small contact in front, and no damage. You would expect a crystal of such size and translucency , and intense color, to cost a lot more, I think...but Charlie passed these on at fair prices to us and we are trying the same. This is a MAJOR dioptase and a killer small miniature by any standard!!
ex. Martin Lewadny
Exceptional, 2.9 cm doubly-terminated Dioptase from an older, classic locality. The luster is excellent, and the color a deep, beautiful green. One termination is partially contacted, but to find a DT Dioptase of this size so complete, and aesthetic, is unusual. This is a domninating, HUGE single crystal and makes for a fullsized thumbnail of some impact. It is a very fat, robust crystal that LOOKS like Tsumeb material (which would be thrice the price).
ex. Martin Lewadny
First-class specimen of Dioptase from the world's greatest mine, and greatest Dioptase locality, Tsumeb. This cluster consists of dozens of gemmy Dioptase crystals, on matrix, topped by one incredible gemmy, deep-green Dioptase that measures and impressive 1.8 cm corner to corner. The main crystal's color and luster are simply as good as you will find. To my mind, the very best Dioptase specimens in the world are ones that have the Dioptase crystals sitting up above the matrix for greater aesthetics, and this one is perched beautifully for maximum efffect. Superb in every way, it is a kille rminiature at a reasonable price for highest quality.
This is a huge plate of matrix-bound dioptase crystals perched on contrasting matrix of rolling blue plancheite (and in itself a fabulously rich specimen for this species!). This is classic material found here about 15 years ago, although seldom seen in specimens so large and showy. The crystals here reach fully 2 cm in size, many of them doubly terminated. Most are pristine, though a few have minor damage, insignificant in context. Part of the reason large plates from this lcoality are so rare is that they form upon crusts inside cavities in the rock, and generally these are small and tight pockets. Hence, large pieces like this are difficult to get out. This piece is not repaired, but it has been stabilized with glue on the backside to ensure it stays together, once it was removed from the rock matrix behind it. For the price, you seldom get so much dioptase bang for the buck (certainly not from Tsumeb!), and these crystals in form plus overall matrix appearance are so very different from anything you see from Tsumeb. I like knowing that, for the price, you can get among the best of this locality for the cost of a frankly mediocre large Tsumeb specimen...that translates to a much more significant rock fo ryour money invested, a good quality ! 15.3 x 14.2 x 3.2 cm
2.0 x 1.4 x 1.4 cm. Dioptase is known from a few world localities in superb quality specimens, but recently there was a find of new material in the Pool Region of the Congo. These specimens show great color, with larger sized crystals and EXCELLENT gemminess. This particular specimen is comprised of a few very sharp, highly lustrous, gemmy, rich emerald green color Dioptase crystals, forming a very attractive overall thumbnail specimen. This find seemed to be somewhat limited, and hopefully will produce more of this SUPERB quality Dioptase.
4.2 x 3.9 x 3.7 cm. A STRIKING Tiger, Arizona CLASSIC of fibrous dioptase preferentially coating an excellent, finely reticulated cerussite crystal. This is very fine, old-time combination material and is always in demand. This probably dates to prior to the 1950s. Such richly colored dioptase-coated cerussites are incredibly uncommon and treasured. Ex. Richard Jones Collection.
3.2 x 3.0 x 2.4 cm. A beautiful and sculptural specimen of gemmy, emerald-green dioptase crystals to 1.1 cm richly scattered on a box work cast of calcite crystals from Tsumeb. The dominating, large dioptase really sets this showy piece off.
4 x 2.2 x 1.2 cm. The Dioptase- Shattuckite combination has become an instant classic because of the fabulous aesthetics, and this specimen is a perfect example. The Shattuckite forms a delicate sky-blue crust composed of radial crystals, and inside the folds of the pocket are numerous gemmy and lustrous dioptase crystals up to .7 cm.
12.5 x 10.6 x 5.5 cm. A very attractive large plate of white calcite rhombs sprinkled delicately with glistening dioptase! This is classic 1970s vintage Tsumeb!
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share specimen![Dioptase on Chrysocolla from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-115a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-115a.jpg)
![Dioptase on Chrysocolla from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-115b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-115b.jpg)
![Dioptase on Chrysocolla from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-115c.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-115c.jpg)
![Dioptase from Tantara, near Reneville, Congo [db_pics/pics/k-118a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-118a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Tantara, near Reneville, Congo [db_pics/pics/k-118b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-118b.jpg)
![Dioptase from Tantara, near Reneville, Congo [db_pics/pics/k-118c.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-118c.jpg)
![Dioptase on Chrysocolla from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-120a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-120a.jpg)
![Dioptase on Chrysocolla from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-120b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-120b.jpg)
![Dioptase on Chrysocolla from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-120c.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-120c.jpg)
![Dioptase from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-122a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-122a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-122b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-122b.jpg)
![Dioptase on Shattuckite in Chrysocolla geode from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-124a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-124a.jpg)
![Dioptase on Shattuckite in Chrysocolla geode from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-124b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-124b.jpg)
![Dioptase on Shattuckite in Chrysocolla geode from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-124c.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-124c.jpg)
![Dioptase on Malachite from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-127a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-127a.jpg)
![Dioptase on Malachite from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-127b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-127b.jpg)
![Dioptase on Malachite from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-127c.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-127c.jpg)
![Dioptase from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-145a.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-145a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-145b.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-145b.jpg)
![Dioptase from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-145c.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-145c.jpg)
![Dioptase from Otjikotu, Kaokoveld, Kunene, Namibia [db_pics/pics/k-145d.jpg]](db_pics/pics/k-145d.jpg)
![Dioptase (large XL) from Reneville, Brazzaville Department, Republic of Congo [db_pics/new2010/LTH12B.JPG]](db_pics/new2010/LTH12B.JPG)
![Dioptase (large XL) from Reneville, Brazzaville Department, Republic of Congo [db_pics/new2010/LTH12C.JPG]](db_pics/new2010/LTH12C.JPG)
![Dioptase on Calcite from Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2010/LTH35A.JPG]](db_pics/new2010/LTH35A.JPG)
![Dioptase on Calcite from Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2010/LTH35B.JPG]](db_pics/new2010/LTH35B.JPG)
![Dioptase on Calcite from Tsumeb Mine, Otjikoto Region, Namibia [db_pics/new2010/LTH35C.JPG]](db_pics/new2010/LTH35C.JPG)
![Dioptase, Plancheite from 'Mbumba, Pimbi hill, Sanda, Mindouli, Pool Region, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) [db_pics/mdpics/MD-104089a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-104089a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Kimbedi, Pool Region, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) [db_pics/mdpics/MD-113432a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-113432a.jpg)
![Cerussite, Dioptase from Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine (Mammoth-St Anthony Mine; Mammoth Mine; St. Anthony Mine), St. Anthony deposit, Tiger, Mammoth District, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-114259a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-114259a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Calcite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-114347a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-114347a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Shattuckite from Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-117506a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-117506a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Calcite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-117712a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-117712a.jpg)