Home > American Minerals – March 20 > MS1316 Dioptase

Dioptase - Sold


Dioptase is a hydrated copper silicate. Haüy (1797) and Haüy (1798) described and named dioptase by combining the Greek words for through and to see, as the cleavage directions may be seen on looking through the crystal.

Dioptase here forms too intergrown balls of crystals. The crystals have a dull luster, likely from a coating which is no longer present. This is a nice example for Arizona, though small.