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 on an oxidized 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.