Highly textured dioptase specimen with 360 view. 46mm

Description

Exposed Dioptase Crystal Cluster – 46 mm

Locality: Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Dimensions: 46 mm x 28 mm x 20 mm

Specimen Overview

This is a highly textured, three-dimensional specimen consisting of a dense aggregate of dioptase crystals. The piece is characterized by its vibrant, neon emerald-green color and a complex, rugged habit that shows beautifully from both the primary face and the reverse.

Key Features

• Crystal Habit: The specimen features a “drusy-to-blocky” transition. One side displays sharp, individual rhombohedral terminations, while the other side shows a tighter, more compact crystalline formation interspersed with a light, contrasting silicified matrix.

• Total Mineralization: This is a “floater-style” aesthetic where the dioptase has almost entirely enveloped the host rock. The “back” of the specimen (Image 2) is just as colorful as the front, making it an ideal candidate for a rotating display or a glass-shelved cabinet.

• Luster: The crystals exhibit a brilliant vitreous (glass-like) luster. Under direct light, the specimen produces a high-frequency “sparkle” due to the thousands of tiny, reflective crystal faces.

• Color Saturation: Deeply saturated teal-green, typical of the copper-rich deposits in the DRC. The color remains intense even in lower lighting conditions.

Technical Specs

• Mineral: Dioptase (Copper Silicate)

• Hardness: 5 (Mohs Scale)

• Form: Crystalline Aggregate

• Condition: Natural, unpolished, and intact crystal surfaces.