Dioptase (large crystal in dioptase pocket)

Item Description

A bright, sparkly, rich specimen of solid dioptase featuring an elongated crystal of dioptase to 3.25 cm perched in a natural pocket of dioptase...all of solid dioptase! So, it is crystalline dioptase within a pocket of dioptase formed by filling of a cavity in the breccia-style matrix of this region, as the hot fluids containing the minerals filled any hollow spaces. This is unusual, in that this specimen really show how these things formed, and what happens apparently if there is not enough of the right conditions to fill a solid space with dioptase material as it cools, yielding space to let crystals grow. The long crystal is typical of Kaokoveld material compared to the more famous (and generally older) Tsumeb mine material, and elongated on the c axis, with a sharp and pointy top. Interesting talking piece! Note this is a very old Kaokoveld piece acquired by the mid 1970s predating most Tsumeb material, and would have been a fine specimen, and quite rare, in its time.