Dioptase with Cuprian Smithsonite

Malpaso Quarry, Dumesnil, La Calera, Colon Dept., Cordoba Prov., Argentina
Ex. Kurt Hefendehl
Large Cabinet, 19.5 x 7.9 x 6.1 cm
Start Time: 01/25/2023 7:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/05/2023 5:05:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $1,600

Item Description

Everybody loves dioptase, but sometimes we are surprised to find that it comes from more locations than we might imagine! This a beautiful and rare Dioptase specimen from, of all places, Argentina. We have seen some simple reference pieces from this locality in the past, but nothing like this large display quality cabinet specimen! It is an utterly spectacular feast of color with large patches of abundant, sparkling, emerald-green Dioptase crystals to 6 mm all over the piece, accented with sugary, bright grass-green Cuprian Smithsonite sprinkled in patches in between the Dioptase clusters! Both copper species are hosted on a matrix of pale creamy orange Calcite, itself on brown Goethite. The orange color of the Calcite is a result of their slight iron staining, from the Goethite underneath. This really is a marvelous large cabinet Dioptase specimen from a little known locality in Argentina and probably represents one of the best pieces found there! The smithsonite is a very surprising bonus, and the two green colors really play off one another well. An old specimen, among the many surprises in the Kurt Hefendehl collection.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$1,600 02/05/2023 4:56:33 pm (CST)
$1,550 02/05/2023 4:56:33 pm (CST)
$1,500 02/05/2023 4:51:38 pm (CST)
$1,473 02/05/2023 4:51:38 pm (CST)
$1,423 02/05/2023 4:51:03 pm (CST)
$1,373 02/05/2023 4:51:03 pm (CST)
$1,323 02/05/2023 4:49:28 pm (CST)
$1,273 02/05/2023 4:49:28 pm (CST)
$1,223 02/05/2023 4:28:16 pm (CST)
$1,173 02/03/2023 11:25:22 pm (CST)
$1,123 02/03/2023 11:25:12 pm (CST)
$1,074 02/03/2023 11:25:12 pm (CST)
$1,024 02/03/2023 11:24:58 pm (CST)
$999 02/03/2023 11:24:58 pm (CST)
$928 02/03/2023 9:41:52 pm (CST)
$903 02/03/2023 7:40:51 pm (CST)
$880 02/03/2023 7:40:51 pm (CST)
$802 02/03/2023 7:37:10 pm (CST)
$777 02/03/2023 7:37:10 pm (CST)
$775 01/29/2023 6:17:30 pm (CST)
$750 01/29/2023 6:17:30 pm (CST)
$582 01/29/2023 10:26:28 am (CST)
$557 01/29/2023 10:26:27 am (CST)
$410 01/26/2023 7:11:30 pm (CST)
$400 01/26/2023 7:11:30 pm (CST)
$100 01/26/2023 8:09:54 am (CST)