Home > Tsumeb Minerals – December 5 > MS1303 Dioptase

Dioptase - Sold


Dioptase is a copper silicate. Its mineral name alludes to its transparency, in Greek (Hauy, 1797, 1798). Dioptase is well known for its emerald green color. This is an attractive specimen of snow white dolomite mostly covered by 2-3 mm dioptase crystals. The dolomite is actually pseudomorphous after another mineral, probably calcite, and provides significant relief to the dioptase druse. The dioptase crystals are lustrous and emerald green, making for a showy specimen. Pieces like this stand out in almost any showcase, and are rather affordable because of their modest crystal size.