At least 30 individual, emerald-green DIOPTASE crystals sprinkled on a Dolomite matrix. The largest dioptase crystal is 0.3 inches long. Luster is adamantine. Crystals are rhombohedral shape. The specimen is from the famous TSUMEB Mine in Namibia.
From the collection of Kim Cathcart.
DIOPTASE is a copper silicate mineral. Color is an intense emerald-green to bluish-green. Its luster is vitreous to adamantine. It has a hardness of 5, the same as apatite. Its specific gravity is 3.28–3.35, and it has two perfect and one very good cleavage directions. Crystal System is Trigonal, Class Hexagonal Rhombohedral.
Location: Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
The Tsumeb Mine in Namibia is world renowned for the quality and variety of fine mineral specimens that it has produced. Mined for a century for Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag-Ge-Cd, the Tsumeb mine has produced 321 valid minerals, and many of the minerals discovered there have never been found in other localities. All mining operations at Tsumeb were stopped in 2006. Probably best known for the brilliant green dioptase crystals, the Tsumeb Mine sets the standard for this colorful mineral species. Equally important are the well-formed malachite crystals, calcite specimens often with malachite or dioptase inclusions, native copper crystals, and many exotic mineral species.
Specimen Size: 3.4 x 2.8 x 1.5 inches
Specimen Weight: 255 grams (9.0 ounces)
Brought to you by SIDEWINDER MINERALS
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