DIOPTASE
Specimen dio-1

Dims: 4" x 2-1/2" x 2-7/8"

Wt: 15.7 oz

Pimbi, Congo

I have seen hundreds of dioptase specimens in my travels, and I've not seen many specimens with more dioptase on them than this one! Seriously, though none of them are larger than 3/16 inch, the specimen is loaded with crystals that are so green as to put Emeralds to shame! I consider this item to be a museum-quality specimen. It has a very good flat surface for resting on a flat acrylic base; I would strongly suggest a rotating stand, which would allow all of this magnificent mineral to be seen.

Dims: 1" x 1/2" x 1/2"

Wt: 5 g

Pimbi,Congo

The green of this Dioptase is so intense that Emerald can't even come close to it! This piece has several crystals in the cluster, some reaching 1/4 inch in length, all of them clean with good terminations. It's a terrific quality for the price.

Dims: 1-1/2" x 1" x 5/8"

Wt: 10 g

Zaire

The unreal green of Dioptase on a pale blue base of decayed Chrysocolla constitutes this splendid thumbnail specimen. The crystals don't get larger than 1/8 inch in length, but are well-formed and terminated, covering a substantial portion of the base mineral, which includes a few little Calcite crystals. A good value for $19!

Dims: 1-1/2" x 1" x 5/8"

Wt: 6 g

Pimbi, Congo

This thumbnail specimen has dozens of minute (about 1/8 inch long) deep-green crystals of Dioptase on a dirty chrysocolla matrix. The crystals are well-formed, and their translucence can be easily seen because of the thinness of each prism. The crystals radiate unifomly in their cluster, making a pretty arrangement, worthy of a curio cabinet or shelf.

Dims: 2-5/8" x 2" x 1-1/2"

Wt: 3.5 oz

Tiger Mine, Pinal Co., Arizona, U.S.A.

This is easily the coolest Dioptase specimen that I have ever seen! First of all, it comes from Arizona, here in the U.S., whereas most specimens are of Congolese or Zairean origin. Next, the crystals are fine and radiating from tight clusters that measure 1/4" diameter maximum; they're almost acicular! Lastly(and here's the real kicker), there are 2 tiny rectangular blades of wulfenite among the incredible green-- one is somehwhat visible in our close-up image. This is the only one we have like this!

Dims: 2.5" x 2.1" x 1.5"(6.4 x 5.3 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 3.60 oz.(102.2 g)

Altyn-Tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

Though showing considerable damage to several crystals, this Dioptase cluster is nonetheless in good condition and quite unusual, given its Middle Eastern locality. Like all Dioptase, it has an intensely deep green color. The crystals show good hexagonal prismatic form, vitreous luster, and dim transparence between the flaws and internal fractures. They reach a maximum size of 0.3"(8 mm) long by 0.2"(4-5 mm) in diameter, and coat a small "tunnel" that goes through the matrix rock. They are separated from the matrix by a layer of quartz upon which they grow. This is quite a beautiful specimen, and is an appropriate piece to beef up a collection that specializes in Dioptase.

Dims: 2.9" x 1.7" x 1.3" (7.4 x 4.3 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: 3.59 oz. (101.9 g)

Pimbi, Congo

I could possibly be wrong about this specimen, but I believe that it is composed almost entirely out of Dioptase! It appears to consists of a section of a crust that is made entirely out of tiny, intergrown trigonal prismatic crystals. Although it appears to be very dirty, as it is partially covered with a thin layer of a brown material, the specimen shows very little damage in general, and the exposed crystals, though quite tiny (they do not exceed 3 mm in length or 2 mm in width or depth), show very good form. Their faces and edges are likewise clean and show a good vitreous luster, and they have a brilliant, deep emerald-green coloration where they are not covered with the brown coating. Upon examination with a loupe, the brownish substance appears to be more of a deep red coloration- I believe that it is cuprite, though there are no visible crystals. It is pervasive, concentrating in hollows and crevices in the crust, and seems to be replacing the Dioptase in some crystals. Only the material that is not covered shows any translucence.

Dims: 5.3" x 3.2" x 3.2" (13.5 x 8.1 x 8.1 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 10.5 oz. (1.206 kg)

not yet determined

The green coloration on this specimen is rather pervasive, as the Dioptase crust is prominent and covers a large part of the host rock. It has an unusually bright, almost emerald-green coloration that is caused by the minute size of the crystals that make up the crust- none of these crystals exceeds 2 mm in length. Due to their small size, it is difficult to determine the general condition of the crystals. Their transparence is likewise difficult to gauge, but they are translucent at the very least. A large portion of the crust is covered with a heavily weathered, almost semicrystalline crust. Upon first glance, I thought that it was calcite, but the more I examined it, the more convinced I was that it is quartz. The crust is transparent but has a matte finish that is likely due to water wear. The host rock also consists of quartz that appears to have been broken up and then compressed together. It shows no crystalline form. There is a quantity of a pale blue material accompanying the Dioptase in one area that makes me think that this specimen comes from one of the famous localities in Zaire.

Dims: 1.6" x 1.5" x 1.1" (4.1 x 3.8 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 1.86 oz. (52.8 g)

Altyn-Tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

A crust made up of dozens of Dioptase crystals partially covers a pale brown host rock that I think is made of chert or a similar silicate material. The crystals that make up the crust are generally in very good condition, as damage is limited to the crust's edges. The largest of these crystals has dimensions of 0.4 x 0.1 x 0.1" (1.0 x 0.3 x 0.3 cm) and is incomplete due to heavy intergrowth. All have good trigonal rhombic-based form and well-defined edges and smooth faces that show a vitreous luster. Their color is the intense, deep emerald-green that is the main characteristic of Dioptase, and the crystals are transparent, though all are marred by considerable internal fracturing.

Dims: 2.1" x 1.8" x 1.7" (5.3 x 4.6 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 3.28 oz. (93.0 g)

Altyn-Tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

This is another example of the Dioptase that is coming out of Kazakhstan. Like most that I have seen, it consists of a crust of trigonal prismatic crystals that partly covers a pale brown host rock. The crystals are generally in very good condition, even though those on the edges of the crust are obviously damaged. They do not exceed 0.3" (0.8 cm) in any dimension. Their trigonal prismatic form is excellent, showing well-defined edges and smooth faces that reflect a bright, vitreous luster. They have the intense, deep emerald-green that is the most noticeable trait for this mineral, and the crystals are obviously transparent. They do show a substantial amount of internal fracturing, though. The host rock on which the crust rests consists of both shapeless macrocrystalline calcite and a pale-brown limestone.

Dims: 2.5 x 1.4 x 1.4" (6.4 x 3.6 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 2.48 oz. (70.3 g)

Upuwu Mine, northern Namibia

A single cluster of Diopside crystals rests at one end of the quartz base of this specimen. There are at least 12 crystals in the cluster, reaching lengths of just over 0.3" (8 mm). Though a few are lightly damaged and one is broken, the cluster is generally in good condition. All of the crystals have excellent trigonal prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces, and show the classic deep emerald-green color and vitreous luster of their species. They are transparent and moderately to very clear. The cluster rests on the edge of a thin, botryoidal plancheite crust that appears to me made up of countless intergrown clusters of microscopic, pale blue needles. The quartz base on which they rest shows no evidence of crystal form.

Dims: 5.0 x 3.9 x 2.1" (12.7 x 9.9 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 6.8 oz. (644 g)

Arizona, U.S.A.

A crust made up of hundreds of tiny Dioptase crystals rests on the gray-brown host rock of this cabinet specimen. The crystals that make up this crust are tiny, not exceeding 0.1" (3 mm) in length or 1 mm in diameter. They are generally in good condition, though there are a few patches of crushing damage on the crust, and most appear to have reasonably good trigonal prismatic form. Their deep emerald-green coloration is standard for their species, and their pearly luster gives the crust a slightly dull sparkle. The crust is separated from the sandstone or quartzite host rock by a few layers of chrysocolla, the topmost of which is decayed and chalky. A few veins of this material also extend through the base rock.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.7 x 1.1" (5.6 x 4.4 x 2.9 cm)

Wt: 2.7 oz. (77 g)

Tsumeb Mine, Namibia

Several Dioptase crystals rest on the gray base rock of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in good condition, though two of them are noticeably damaged, and reach dimensions of 0.4 x 0.2 x 0.2" (9 x 5 x 5 mm). All have excellent trigonal prismatic form, with well-defined edges and clean faces that possess a vitreous luster. They have the classic, intense emerald-green coloration and are transparent and dimly clear due to inclusions and internal fractures. They rest on a crust of what appears to be crushed or weathered plancheite that coats the base.

Dims: 1.7 x 1.3 x 1.0" (4.2 x 3.3 x 2.6 cm)

Wt: 1.3 oz. (38 g)

Altyn-tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

At least 40 Dioptase crystals rest on the quartz base of this small hand specimen. Though several are obviously damaged or broken, most are intact and in excellent condition, reaching lengths of nearly 0.4" (1 cm). All have excellent trigonal prismatic form and the classic deep, emerald-green color of their specie. They show a pearly luster and are transparent and dimly-to-moderately clear due to internal fractures, inclusions and the depth of their color. Due to damage and its intergrowth with the Dioptase crystals, no crystal form is visible in the colorless, transparent quartz base.

Dims: 2.2 x 1.4 x 1.3" (5.6 x 3.7 x 3.4 cm)

Wt: 2.0 oz. (58 g)

Altyn-Tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

Several tightly-arranged Dioptase prisms rest on the quartz and calcite base of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in very good condition, showing damage only around the edges of the cluster, and reach lengths of nearly 0.4" (1 cm). Their trigonal prismatic form is excellent, and their intense emerald-green color is standard for their specie. All have a slightly dull, pearly luster and are transparent and dimly to moderately clear, containing internal fractures and inclusions. A few broken calcites are also present on the piece- one of these contains some inclusions in the form of a few tiny Dioptases!

Dims: 1.8 x 1.0 x 0.7" (4.7 x 2.6 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 16 g

Altyn-Tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

Several dozen Dioptase crystals rest on the calcareous base of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in very good condition- damage is minimal- and reach lengths of about 0.3" (8 mm). All have excellent trigonal prismatic form and show the classic deep, emerald-green color and vitreous luster of the specie. All are dimly to moderately transparent, with the larger crystals containing many internal fractures. A few stray calcite "dogtooth" crystals rest on the base.

Dims: 1.0 x 0.9 x 0.8" (2.4 x 2.3 x 2.1 cm)

Wt: 11 g

Altyn-Tube, Kirghese Steppes, Kazakhstan

This thumbnail specimen consists of a cluster of 7 or 8 Dioptase prisms that rest on a pale-brown, quartz encrusted base. These crystals are generally in good condition- those on the edges are damaged, but the rest are intact- and reach lengths of nearly 0.4" (1 cm). All have excellent trigonal prismatic form and show the classic, deep emerald-green coloration of the specie. Their luster is vitreous and all are transparent and dimly clear, containing many flaws.

Dims: 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.6" (2.1 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 6 g w/ foam base

Tsumeb, Namibia

This thumbnail consists of several small Dioptase prisms that rest on a quartz or quartzite base. These crystals do not tend to exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in length, and most of them are broken or damaged. Those that are intact have excellent trigonal form and show the classic deep, emerald-green color and vitreous luster of their specie. All are moderately transparent. The piece is affixed inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.6" (2.4 x 2.4 x 1.6 cm)

Wt: 10 g w/ foam base

Tsumeb, Namibia

At least 20 small Dioptase crystals rest on the quartz base of this thumbnail piece. Few, if any, exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length, and more than half of them are broken or damaged. Those that are intact show good trigonal prismatic form and have the deep, emerald-green color and vitreous luster that are common for the specie. They are transparent and dimly to moderately clear. The foam base to which the piece is glued fits into an included thumbnail box.

Dims: 3.5 x 1.9 x 1.4" (8.8 x 4.9 x 3.5 cm)

Wt: 5.4 oz. (152 g)

unknown (likely Arizona, U.S.A.)

Scores of tiny Diopside crystals rest on the red-brown base of this cabinet specimen. These crystals do not generally exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length and appear to be in very good condition. Though heavily intergrown, all show excellent trigonal prismatic form. Their intense, emerald-green coloration and vitreous luster are standard for the specie. They are all likely transparent and rather clear due to their small size. I believe that this specimen is from Arizona, in the U.S.- the small crystals are similar to those on another piece from that area, and the thin crusts of chrysocolla under the Dioptase and lack of plancheite and quartz are indicative of Arizona specmiens.

Dims: 0.9 x 0.6 x 0.4" (2.2 x 1.5 x 1.1 cm)

Wt: 4 g

Tsumeb Mine, Namibia

This thumbnail consists of several Dioptase prisms clustered on a small bit of base rock. The crystals do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in either length or diameter and are in good condition, showing light damage. Their trigonal form is excellent, and all have the classic deep green color and vitreous luster of the specie. They are transparent but only dimly to moderately clear due to internal fracturing. The piece is hot-glued inside a plastic thumbnail box.

Dims: 2.3 x 1.8 x 1.3" (5.8 x 4.7 x 3.4 cm)

Wt: 1.5 oz. (42 g)

Tantare Mine, Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

This hand specimen consists of a probable goethite epimorph that is coated with small Dioptase crystals. These crystals are generally in excellent condition- only a small percentage are damaged- and do not exceed 0.2" (5 mm) in length. All have a trigonal prismatic form and the classic deep, emerald-green coloration. Their luster is vitreous and they are translucent to transparent. The epimorph shows imprints of many crystals of various sizes, but I cannot tell whether or not it has any crystal form of its own.

Dims:3.1x1.2x1.1" (7.9x3.0x2.8 cm)

Wt: 3.1oz. (89g)

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Namibia

This specimen consists of at least two dozen stubby, prismatic crystals of dioptase with a minor amount of calcite on a light colored matrix. These dioptase crystals show excellent form, and range in size to a little over 0.1" (0.3cm). Under magnification, the crystals are seen to be translucent. The damage on this specimen occurs primarily on the sides where it was broken away from the host material-the crystals in the center of the specimen are pristine.

Dims: 1.3x1.1x0.9" (3.3x2.7x2.2 cm)

Wt: 0.7 oz. (20.6g)

Rodgerberg Mine, Guichab, Nr. Grootfontein, Namibia

This thumbnail specimen is a single large crystal of dioptase on a calcite base. This crystal is possibly the largest that I have seen, measuring 16mm in length. It has the usual intense green color, and appears translucent due to a great many internal fractures. It is transparent enough that from some angles in internal fracture will reflect a bright green sparkle. However, most of the crystals sparkle is due to reflection from its vitreous luster. The prismatic crystal has six sides and exhibits a rhombohedral termination - characteristic for dioptase, especially on one end. This end is also the most transparent, as the other end is cloudy from inclusions and internal fractures. There are also several black areas in the crystal. The crystals perfection is marred by barely perceptible damage to the "good" end, and significant damage to the other end. Also, the crystal appears to have formed after its host, which (once removed) left crystal impressions on the surface, including a cavity several millimeters deep.

Dims: 1.5x1.0x1.1" (3.9x2.6x2.9 cm)

Wt: 0.7 oz. (21.1g)

Rodgerberg Mine, Guichab, Nr. Grootfontein, Namibia

This specimen has numerous crystals of dioptase, including one very nice cluster of prismatic crystals, and a band of broken crystals forming a bright green crust that extends from the front around to the back and top. The crust is the normal extreme green color of dioptase, and some of these small crystals are undamaged and transparent. The cluster has several perfectly shaped (but small) crystals, some of which appear transparent, but most are cloudy due to internal fractures and a brown coating (limonite?) on some of the crystals. There is also some calcite present, most of which was dissolved by acid to expose the dioptase.

Dims: 3.35x2.17x1.42" (8.5x5.5x3.6cm)

Wt: 5.91oz. (167.3g)

Kara-Oba, Kasakhstan

This hand specimen is a host rock with a coating of dioptase crystals on one surface. These crystals are transparent, and intensly green - they sparkle green fire in sunlight or under a loupe. Some of the crystals approach 3 or 4 mm in length, but most of them are smaller than 1mm. There are additional colorless transparent crystals present, and these have a smoothed appearance. I suspect that they are calcites that were partially disolved during the cleaning of this specimen. The host rock appears to have been coated with a layer of lacquer, possibly to stabilize it.

Dims: 2.41x2.12x1.24" (6.11x5.39x3.14cm)

Wt: 3.77oz (106.7g)

Altyn-Tyube, Karaganda oblast, Kazakhstan

This specimen displays a lot of dioptase crystals. They nearly cover one side, and some of them wrap around to the other. They have the usual intense green (with a touch of blue) color, the crystals are transparent and have a vitreous luster. The many internal fractures block the clarity of the crystals, yet they add to the sparkle as they are the source of the bright green flashes emitted by the specimen. Note that many of the crystals are damaged: it appears that this specimen was in contact with the other side of the crevice, and removal created several essentially flat areas of fracture surfaces. These areas appear nearly opaque, and have a much lighter appearance, which can add to the specimen's appeal, as it highlights the deep green of the bulk of the crystals.

Dims: 1.44x1.43x0.70" (3.65x3.63x1.77cm)

Wt: 0.69oz (19.5g)

Altyn-Tyube, Karaganda oblast, Kazakhstan

Dozens of intensly green dioptase crystals adorn this specimen. They have a vitreous luster and are transparent, although the many internal fractures generate sparkle and green flares rather than allowing one to see through the crystals. As is normal of for dioptase, the green color has a touch of blue in it. The crystals are hexagonal and are terminated with a three-sided pyramid.

Dims: 1.62x1.24x1.26" (4.12x3.15x3.21cm)

Wt: 1.12oz (31.6g)

Altyn-Tyube, Karaganda oblast, Kazakhstan

This specimen displays a single cluster of deep blue-green dioptase crystals. They have a slightly distorted hexagonal cross section, and pyramid termination. They have a vitreous luster and appear transparent, although their clarity is marred by numerous internal reflections. They present nicely at the top of this specimen. There is a small amount of damage visible to several of the points and edges.