Dioptase from Congo Ref493

This dioptase, mined in 2024 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is presented in a compact and well-balanced format, measuring 36 x 37 x 37 mm. It comes on a bevelled acrylic base, making it easy to display in a cabinet or mineral collection.

The total weight with the base is 75 g. Dioptase is a copper mineral, more precisely a hydrated copper silicate, with the chemical formula Cu₆Si₆O₁₈·6H₂O. It is known for its colour range from light green to bluish green, typical of this mineral species.

On the Mohs scale, dioptase has a hardness of 5, with a density of approximately 3.3 to 3.4. As a copper-bearing mineral, it is soluble in hydrochloric acid, a useful point for identification and proper handling.