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  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.
  • Two views of a mineral specimen featuring deep emerald-green dioptase crystals perched on pale pink-brown quartz matrix. The dioptase forms a cluster of well-formed, prismatic crystals with the largest crystal reaching nearly an inch in length. The crystals are highly translucent with glassy luster, showing bright reflective faces, particularly visible in the second, closer view. The main crystal displays perfect geometric form, rising dramatically from the rough, textured quartz base.

DIOPTASE

Altyn-Tyube, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan
4.5 x 4.4 x 4.1 cm
$1,200.00
$1,200.00
Shipping calculated at checkout.

This is an eye-catching cluster of high-quality, gemmy dioptase, perched exquisitely on a quartz matrix, from the type locality for the species. The largest crystal measures to almost an inch, large for the species in general, and stands out even more from Altyn-Tyube. Under strong light, the main crystal shows flashes of emerald fire from the inside, and strong luster on the outside. The main crystal here is absolutely pristine as well. Any blemishes are indistinguishable when viewing it on display, and this is a gorgeous arrangement all around. Though it looks nice already, with careful trimming it could be an even better miniature or thumbnail.

 

 

More info:

The dioptase occurrence at Altyn-Tyube, Kazakhstan, represents a significant type locality for understanding copper silicate mineralization in oxidized zones. The formation involves hydrothermal alteration of copper sulfides, where Cu6Si6O18·6H2O precipitates under supergene conditions below 100°C. The process requires specific geochemical parameters, including appropriate pH levels and silica availability from the host Cambrian limestone. The site has produced exceptional rhombohedral crystals displaying perfect {1011} cleavage, establishing crucial reference specimens for crystallographic studies. The mineral assemblage, including calcite and chrysocolla, provides essential data for understanding paragenetic sequences in oxidized copper deposits. The distinct emerald-green crystals from this locality serve as valuable indicators for similar mineralization environments worldwide. The site's specimens have contributed substantially to the mineralogical understanding of copper silicate formation mechanisms and remain fundamental for comparative analysis in economic geology.