Dioptase (on calcite)

TSNB897
Specimen
Latz, C.V.
Exhibit 1. Dioptase (on calcite); 40 mm.
Exhibit 1. Dioptase (on calcite); 40 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood

Specimen Title

Dioptase (on calcite)

Associated Minerals

calcite; conichalcite-duftite

Principal Mineral

Dioptase

Size

Miniature; 40mm

Location in the Mine

Second oxidation zone

Provenance

Latz, C.V.

Collection

Geoscience Australia; R28072

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB897

Description

A single 19 mm crystal of gemmy (transparent) dioptase on a shard of intergrown rhombs of colourless-white calcite (with localised iron staining). A little pistachio-green conichalcite-duftite is also present on the calcite.
The specimen is from the collection of Clement Victor Latz, which was donated to the Australian Bureau of Mineral Resources (now Geoscience Australia) in 1976. There is no record of earlier provenance or location in the mine, but the paragenesis is diagnostic for the second oxidation zone.