Dioptase and Cerussite on Calcite

Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia
Cabinet, 10.7 x 6.0 x 5.4 cm
Start Time: 01/25/2023 7:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/05/2023 5:15:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $2,350

Item Description

What makes this Tsumeb Dioptase so gorgeous and unique in style is the early generation of small, sparkling Dioptase crystals contrasting with a later generation of larger, isolated crystals to an amazing 2 cm in size, all on a snow-white matrix of large Calcite crystals. The big opaque white Calcites are up to 2.8 cm across, atop gray altered limestone matrix. The matrix is veined with the white Calcite and it all fluoresces nicely red under short wave UV. The small, gemmy, bright emerald green Dioptase crystals are heavily sprinkled preferentially on the tops of the white Calcite rhombs like the green sugar on Christmas cookies! This is already a rare style for Tsumeb, from a few finds of the mid 1980s and possibly a few older pockets as well. The largest crystal is to 1.7 cm, perfectly terminated. The large Dioptase crystals are super lustrous and are a dark, rich emerald green with their transparency is revealed by backlighting. A large, accenting but partial, translucent beige Cerussite crystal is present at one corner of the piece. This is, overall, a very colorful and starkly contrasting piece with two generations of Dioptase crystals here, which adds real pizzazz. It is markedly different than most other styles from Tsumeb and remains, despite dioptase finds elsewhere, unique to Tsumeb in style. Valued $5000-7500.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$2,350 02/05/2023 5:09:38 pm (CST)
$2,300 02/05/2023 5:09:33 pm (CST)
$2,250 02/05/2023 5:09:33 pm (CST)
$2,200 02/05/2023 5:09:11 pm (CST)
$2,150 02/05/2023 5:03:11 pm (CST)
$2,100 02/05/2023 5:02:46 pm (CST)
$2,050 02/05/2023 4:58:00 pm (CST)
$2,000 * 02/05/2023 4:56:50 pm (CST)
$2,000 * 02/05/2023 4:56:50 pm (CST)
$1,950 02/05/2023 4:56:43 pm (CST)
$1,900 02/05/2023 4:56:43 pm (CST)
$1,850 02/05/2023 4:54:28 pm (CST)
$1,800 02/05/2023 4:54:28 pm (CST)
$1,750 02/05/2023 4:53:13 pm (CST)
$1,700 02/05/2023 4:53:08 pm (CST)
$1,652 02/05/2023 4:53:07 pm (CST)
$1,602 02/05/2023 4:52:35 pm (CST)
$1,552 02/05/2023 4:45:26 pm (CST)
$1,502 02/05/2023 4:45:18 pm (CST)
$1,500 02/05/2023 4:45:18 pm (CST)
$1,450 02/05/2023 4:45:11 pm (CST)
$1,400 02/05/2023 4:45:11 pm (CST)
$1,350 02/05/2023 4:45:03 pm (CST)
$1,300 02/05/2023 4:45:03 pm (CST)
$1,250 02/04/2023 10:19:42 pm (CST)
$1,200 02/04/2023 10:19:42 pm (CST)
$1,076 02/04/2023 10:19:26 pm (CST)
$1,026 02/04/2023 10:19:26 pm (CST)
$901 02/04/2023 10:19:11 pm (CST)
$876 02/04/2023 10:19:11 pm (CST)
$691 02/02/2023 1:51:32 am (CST)
$666 02/02/2023 1:51:32 am (CST)
$579 02/01/2023 2:14:00 pm (CST)
$554 02/01/2023 2:14:00 pm (CST)
$529 02/01/2023 2:13:54 pm (CST)
$504 02/01/2023 2:13:54 pm (CST)
$494 02/01/2023 2:13:48 pm (CST)
$484 02/01/2023 2:13:48 pm (CST)
$474 02/01/2023 2:13:43 pm (CST)
$464 02/01/2023 2:13:43 pm (CST)
$454 01/29/2023 10:27:22 am (CST)
$444 01/29/2023 10:27:21 am (CST)
$385 01/27/2023 12:10:58 am (CST)
$375 01/27/2023 12:10:58 am (CST)
$341 01/26/2023 7:49:47 pm (CST)
$331 01/26/2023 7:49:47 pm (CST)
$240 01/26/2023 7:48:32 pm (CST)
$230 01/26/2023 7:48:32 pm (CST)
$120 01/26/2023 7:14:22 pm (CST)
$110 01/26/2023 12:11:52 am (CST)
$100 01/26/2023 12:01:20 am (CST)
* Proxy Bid Battle: In the event of two customers inputting matching proxy bids, the leading bid goes to the earliest of the two proxy bids. Tie winners are shown in bold.