Dioptase

A striking thumbnail specimen featuring sharp, lustrous trigonal prismatic crystals of dioptase. The crystals display the vivid emerald-green colour that has made dioptase one of the most beloved secondary copper minerals among collectors. The crystals seem to glow when backlit, revealing remarkable internal brilliance. The piece is in excellent condition, nearly a floater. The back end of the main crystal looks like it broke off and re-healed as it's all been re-crystalized.

This specimen originates from the famous N'tola Mine in the Pool Department of the Republic of the Congo, a now-defunct locality that produced some of the finest crystallized dioptase specimens seen on the market since the early 2000s. Good display-quality dioptase is only found at a handful of localities worldwide, and free-standing crystal groups of this calibre are especially desirable.