Dioptase with Wulfenite (2019 discovery)

Item Description

A fantastic cabinet sized display piece from a new find in January of 2019 at the Mpita Mine. Dioptase is one of those species that appeals to nearly every body, but there are not that many localities that produce excellent specimens. Last year, we got our hands on some brand new specimens from the Mpita Mine which is near the small village of Kimbedi on the railroad between Lutete and Mindouli in Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville). What makes these specimens a bit different from what we've seen in the past is that they feature beautiful, semi-spherical clusters of Dioptase sprinkled over the matrix. The color of the crystals is superb, with that classic emerald green hue, and they are highly lustrous with fine trigonal form. While some of the Dioptase crystals have formed in almost "spherical" groups, others have a bit more of a layered / parallel growth style to them, and the largest individual crystal I can find measures about 4 mm. You can clearly see on this specimen that there are a few open / contacted / exposed "balls" which some have suggested could be pseudomorphs of Dioptase replacing a spherical copper silicate mineral like Plancheite, while others have thought these Dioptase groups could have formed after bubbles of clay in the pocket during formation. Additionally, if you look closely, you can see very small, but brilliant orange-yellow crystals of Wulfenite sprinkled here and there! We took a few micro photos to better illustrate the quality of the little crystals. The contrast between the green and the orange is just beautiful, and reminds one of similar material from Tiger, Arizona. The matrix is coated by silvery-grey Calcite creating another layer of contrast. Nearly damage free on the front, very minor imperfections. When you consider the high prices being paid for Tsumeb Dioptase specimens today, this piece is a great bargain by comparison and still has a bit of the "Tsumeb"-esque quality to it. Priced in the inventory at $1,800.