Description

This specimen features a brilliant 1.3 cm parallel-growth dioptase crystal of top colour, lustre and quality, perched perfectly in a vug. The crystal is translucent and shows beautiful internal colour under strong light – delicate phantom zones are also visible with a loupe. At the very base of the crystal and also around the back, you can see a bit of pock-marking where this crystal interacted with the silicate matrix as it grew, and on the back there is a chip on a small associated crystal, but it is in exceptional condition from the angle at which I would display it. The bottom of the matrix has been trimmed with a saw so it sits perfectly. This dioptase crystal is a deep green jewel.