Dioptase (RARE locale - superb)

Item Description

Scintillating, gemmy, rich emerald-green, slender dioptase crystals, to about 7 mm, are dramatically festooned on the front and are richly clustered on the back of the sculptural matrix on this superlative and aesthetic two-sided specimen. Dioptase specimens are VERY RARE from this obscure Pb-Zn and Cu mine and district in the Republic of Congo. Choice and RARE older material from this uncommon locale, known for huge wulfenite crystals to nearly 2 kilos! Specimens from this locale probably date from the 1920s to perhaps the 1960s. The gemmy green color and crystal style are of these particular dioptase crystals are unlike any from any other African locale, including Mindouli and Reneville in the Republic of Congo, copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Kaokoveld in Namibia or famed Tsumeb. Valued at $1500-2000 for rarity and quality.