Dioptase (ex Dr. Miguel Romero Collection)

Item Description

When it comes to Dioptase, there is no locality greater or more prolific than Tsumeb for quantity and quality. The finest Tsumeb Dioptases are simply breathtaking, and now in very short supply on the market. This specimen exhibits the top emerald green color (impossible to replicate in photos) that made these specimens so famous. The crystals themselves measure up to 7 mm, and the vast majority of them are undamaged, save the periphery where the specimen was removed from the pocket. You can see they are gemmy and bright when backlit. Small olive green spheroids of Duftite can be seen here and there. They final touch to these sharp, lustrous trigonal crystals is the fact that they are sitting on what appears to be vitreous / pearly silvery Smithsonite(?) matrix, and not the typical snow white Calcite that we're used to seeing from Tsumeb. I suppose the matrix could be silvery Calcite, which is less common in my experience with Tsumeb material. Lastly, the piece displays BEAUTIFULLY without the aid of a base or clay. I don't have to tell you that the value of Tsumeb specimens seems to rise daily, and fine quality specimens are now highly sought after, and prized more than ever by dealers and collectors alike. Valued at $2,000 retail. From the collection of Senator / Dr. Miguel Romero of Teuhuacan, Mexico (Collection #2351). For more information on this important collection, use the link to this free online copy of our 2008 book on his collection: http://www.irocks.com/e-book-romero/