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Mineral Specimens with Dioptase
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7.0 x 6.0 x 3.7 cm. A showy, excellent and uncommon Tsumeb specimen of tiny, gemmy and sparkly, emerald-green dioptase crystals richly dusting nubby, knobby mottramite. The matte-finish mottramite rests on a nicely contrasting rind of white calcite on matrix.
5.3 x 5.2 x 3.1 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 DRC. These specimens show great color, with larger sized crystals and excellent gemminess. This particular specimen is comprised of very sharp, highly lustrous, gemmy, electric green color Dioptase crystals on Quartz on matrix, forming a very attractive overall small cabinet specimen.
3.5 x 2.6 x 2.2 cm. A beautiful mini of bright, lustrous green dioptase specimens on contrasting white calcite, from perhaps the most famous mineral locality in the world (and dioptase probably qualifies as its star collector mineral). The crystals measure to 0.4 cm. Dioptase specimens where the crystals are on white calcite are the most sought-after, because you get the pleasing contrast.
One of the finest Kaokoveld dioptase specimens I have seen, with a quality of lustre and color equivalent to Tsumeb dioptase, and an aesthetic arrangement uncommon from this location in larger diops (which tend to be boring flattish plates more than 3-D agregates as this one. The contrasting blue chrysocolla accent is a wonderful finishing touch. This piece just radiates color and shows like its worth 10k...well, the simple fact of the matter is that the Kaok material simply goes for about 1/3 what a same-sized Tsumeb specimen of similar quality would go for. There is simply more premium put on the Tsumeb material, much of which came out in the 1970s, compared to teh Kaok material which has come out since the mid 1980s. I do not think this pricing difference to be entirely warranted, but it exists and I feel that I must price this one accordingly even though I do truly feel its a 10k piece if only from a locality only a few hundred klicks away. For that matter, it really IS a superb piece for this locality, of which there are few equals - and hence of a higher stature relative to Kaok dioptase specimens found than to Tsumeb pieces of which there are admittedly better and bigger (and much pricier) specimens out there. The chrysocolla association is unique to this localiy and is not found at Tsumeb. 5.9 x 4.2 x 2.4 cm
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". 6.8 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm
5.8 x 4.2 x 3.2 cm. An EXCELLENT and SHOWY, 3-dimensional Tsumeb specimen RICHLY covered with gemmy and lustrous, emerald-green dioptase crystals to 8 mm on a beautifully contrasting matrix of off-white calcite rhombs.
6.7 x 5.5 x 3.2 cm. A STRIKING two-sided Ray Mine specimen of sparkly, emerald-green, micro dioptase crystals on bubbly, powder-blue chrysocolla on rhyolite matrix.
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. 3.9 x 2.3 x 1.9 cm
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! 3.3 x 2.4 x 1.1 cm
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. In person, its really impressive for the depth and rolling interior that is hard to show here 4.5 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm
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. 5.5 x 5.5 x 4.9 cm
4.3 x 3.7 x 1.8 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 very sharp, highly lustrous, gemmy, rich emerald green color Dioptase crystals on matrix, forming a very attractive overall specimen. This find seemed to be somewhat limited, and hopefully will produce more of this SUPERB quality Dioptase.
3.2 x 2.9 x 1.5 cm. A specimen of sparkly, bright green crystals of dioptase on calcite matrix, sprinkled with little moss-colored mottramites. Pretty!
6 x 4.1 x 2.5 cm. STUNNING, glassy-gemmy crystals of dioptase, of the TOP Tsumeb color, isolated on a bed of small crystals of stark white contrasting calcite. The largest dioptase crystal measures 1.2 cm.
3.8 x 3.1 x 1.4 cm. A great dioptase specimen with a bit of a surprise on it. I could not believe it, but this seems to be a little orange barite perched atop! Never seen the combo! The central dioptase is 1.3 cm and pristine. The one on the edge is larger, but incomplete at its edge. Ex. Charlie Key Collection.
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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share specimen![Dioptase, Mottramite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-121063a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-121063a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Mottramite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-121063b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-121063b.jpg)
![Dioptase from Kimbedi, Pool Region, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) [db_pics/mdpics/MD-121370a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-121370a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Kimbedi, Pool Region, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) [db_pics/mdpics/MD-121370b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-121370b.jpg)
![Dioptase from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-121925a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-121925a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-122421a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-122421a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Chrysocolla from Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-122422a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-122422a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Calcite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-122810a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-122810a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Chrysocolla from Ray Mine, Scott Mountain area, Mineral Creek District (Ray District), Dripping Spring Mts, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130332a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130332a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Chrysocolla from Ray Mine, Scott Mountain area, Mineral Creek District (Ray District), Dripping Spring Mts, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130332b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130332b.jpg)
![Dioptase, Chrysocolla from Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130338a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130338a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130340a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130340a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Shattuckite, Chrysocolla from Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130344a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130344a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Malachite from Kaokoveld Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130363a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130363a.jpg)
![Dioptase from Kimbedi, Pool Region, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) [db_pics/mdpics/MD-130911a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-130911a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Mottramite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-131576a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-131576a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Mottramite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-131576b.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-131576b.jpg)
![Dioptase, Calcite from Tsumeb Mine (Tsumcorp Mine), Tsumeb, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-131581a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-131581a.jpg)
![Dioptase, Baryte, Plancheite from Kaokoveld Plateau, Kunene Region, Namibia [db_pics/mdpics/MD-131661a.jpg]](db_pics/mdpics/MD-131661a.jpg)