Full-Coverage Dioptase Crystal Crust – 45mm

This 45mm specimen is a fantastic “all-green” cabinet piece, featuring nearly 100% coverage across its primary face. It showcases a beautiful range of textures, from micro-crystalline druse to sharp, pinpoint terminations.

Full-Coverage Dioptase Crystal Crust – 45mm

Locality: Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Dimensions: 45 mm x 32 mm

Mineralogical Profile

This 45mm specimen is a dense, high-relief cluster of intergrown dioptase crystals. It is characterized by its rugged, “cavernous” topography and exceptional color saturation.

• Crystal Habit: The specimen features a complex aggregate of crystals. The central area is dominated by a tight, botryoidal-style cluster of micro-crystals, while the periphery reveals larger, sharp rhombohedral faces that catch the light brilliantly.

• Color: Displays a deep, saturated emerald-green with a strong teal undertone. The “neon” quality is particularly evident on the right flank, where thinner crystalline layers allow for higher light penetration.

• Luster: Vitreous to sub-vitreous. The varied crystal sizes across the 45mm surface create a multi-layered sparkle—broad flashes from the larger faces and a fine, “velvet” shimmer from the micro-crystalline areas.

• Matrix: Minimal white-to-grey silicified matrix is visible only at the very base, serving to accentuate the purity of the green crystals.

Technical Summary

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

• Hardness: 5 (Mohs Scale)

• Crystal System: Trigonal

• Form: Large, continuous crystalline crust.

• Condition: Excellent structural integrity; a solid and heavy-for-its-size specimen.

Collector’s Appeal

This piece is a classic “green-on-green” specimen. Because it is almost entirely composed of dioptase, it offers a massive punch of color for its size. It’s a perfect mid-sized cabinet piece for TheRockshop customers who want a specimen that looks naturally wild and untouched.

Display Suggestion

To capture the full depth of the crystalline “caves” in this 45mm piece, use overhead lighting. This will create dramatic shadows within the central recesses while making the thousands of tiny crystal tips on the surface glow with that iconic Congolese teal.

This 29mm specimen is a great “half-and-half” piece. It beautifully illustrates the mineral association you’ve been seeing across this batch, featuring a distinct divide between clear, blocky crystals and a more textured, mineral-coated area.