Dioptase
DR Congo
3.44 carats
© Mineral Classics
Dioptase is a popular collectors' mineral specimen and is smetimes cut into small emerald-like gems. The material is very soft to be worn as a ring-stone, but small specimens are sometimes mounted in pendants and brooches.
Dioptase Gemstones by Colour
This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
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Dioptase Gemstones by Size
This table shows distribution of Dioptase gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.18 cts
Heaviest:3.66 cts
Average:1.51 cts
Total photos:12
Do you have a larger Dioptase? Why not upload a photo?
| General Information | |||||||||||||||||||
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| Chemical Formula |
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| Physical Properties of Dioptase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mohs Hardness | 5, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Specific Gravity | 3.25 to 3.35, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Tenacity | Brittle, Gemstones of the world (2001) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cleavage Quality | Perfect, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fracture | Conchoidal, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Properties of Dioptase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Refractive Index | 1.644 to 1.720, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Optical Character | Uniaxial/+, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Birefringence | 0.051 to 0.053, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pleochroism | Weak; dark emerald green, light emerald green., Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Dispersion | 0.036, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Colour | |||||||||||||||||||
| Colour (General) | Dark vivid bluish-green, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Causes of Colour | Green, Cu2+ in octahedral coordination, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Transparency | Translucent, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) Usually translucentMore from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lustre | Vitreous, Gemstones (2009) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence & other light emissions | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fluorescence (General) | None, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Crystallography of Dioptase | |||||||||||||||||||
| Crystal System | Trigonal, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Habit | Prismatic or rhombohedral crystals, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references | ||||||||||||||||||
| Geological Environment | |||||||||||||||||||
| Where found: | Dioptase is found in the oxidized zones of some copper deposits., Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Further Information | |||||||||||||||||||
| Mineral information: | Dioptase information at mindat.org | ||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Gem Localities | |||||||||||||||||||
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