Dioptase (on calcite)

TSNB934
Specimen
Bruce, I.Sielecki, R.Somerville, W.
Exhibit 1. Dioptase (on calcite); 90 mm.
Exhibit 1. Dioptase (on calcite); 90 mm.
Image Credit: Joe Budd photo; courtesy of Fine Minerals International.

Specimen Title

Dioptase (on calcite)

Associated Minerals

calcite

Principal Mineral

Dioptase

Size

Cabinet; 90mm

Location in the Mine

Second oxidation zone

Provenance

Somerville, W.; Sielecki, R.; Bruce, I.

Collection

Trinchillo, D.; Fine Minerals International #23404

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB934

Description

Well-formed and highly lustrous, gemmy dioptase crystals (to 15 mm) on a contrasting crust of snow-white rhombohedral calcite over a matrix of altered dolostone.

The specimen was formerly in the collection of Warren Somerville (Australia), which was dispersed by Rob Sielecki and Ian Bruce in 2017. Its earlier provenance is unknown and there is no formal record of location in the mine, although this paragenesis is definitively from the second oxidation zone.