Elongated “Velvet” Dioptase Crystal Cluster – 50 mm

This 50mm specimen is a superb cabinet piece, notable for its elongated “wing” shape and incredibly dense crystal coverage. It offers a large surface area of pure, saturated color with virtually no matrix visible from the top down.

Elongated “Velvet” Dioptase Crystal Cluster – 50 mm

Locality: Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Dimensions: 50 mm x 28 mm

Mineralogical Highlights

This 50 mm specimen is a “field of green,” characterized by a continuous, intergrown crust of dioptase crystals. The aesthetic is one of uninterrupted mineralization, making it a powerful visual piece for any collection.

• Crystal Habit: The specimen features a complex “micro-rhombohedral” habit. The surface is composed of thousands of tiny, sharp crystal terminations that create a rugged, high-relief topography.

• Color Profile: Displays the quintessential Congolese “neon” emerald-green. The color saturation is uniform across the entire 50 mm length, exhibiting deep teal tones in the shadows and electric-green highlights on the crystal tips.

• Luster: Intense vitreous luster. Because of the sheer number of small crystal faces, this piece has a “scintillating” effect—it sparkles with high-frequency light returns as the specimen is rotated.

• Form: The elongated, slightly curved shape gives the specimen a dynamic, organic feel, almost like a piece of crystalline coral.

Technical Summary

• Mineral: Dioptase ($CuSiO_{2}(OH)_{2}$)

• Hardness: 5 (Mohs Scale)

• Crystal System: Trigonal / Rhombohedral

• Transparency: Translucent on individual crystal edges.

• Condition: Excellent coverage; a solid crystalline mass with high structural integrity.

Collector’s Appeal

At 50 mm, this is one of your larger specimens, making it a “small cabinet” piece rather than a thumbnail. Its size and the completeness of the crystal coverage make it an ideal centerpiece for a specialized copper-mineral shelf.

Display Suggestion

This specimen looks best when displayed horizontally on a long acrylic stand. To truly capture the “fire” of the crystals for your website or YouTube channel, use a macro-video sweep; the way the thousands of crystal faces catch the light in sequence is much more impressive in motion than in a still photo.