Dioptase

With the closure of the renowned Tsumeb Mine, top-quality dioptase specimens have become increasingly rare and sought-after. This piece showcases vibrant emerald-green crystals that appear to glow under light, a hallmark of the superior quality for which Tsumeb is famous. Sharp trigonal dioptase crystals are elegantly set within a sparkling calcite matrix. Dioptase from Tsumeb is considered the global standard for the species, celebrated for its exceptional transparency, high lustre, and vivid colour, qualities that reflect the unique copper-rich, hydrothermal environment of this legendary deposit. This specimen comes from the collection of Robert Yeoman, the Irish-born, Toronto-based collector renowned for his outstanding assemblage of Namibian minerals.