Dioptase
A variety of Minerals
What is Dioptase?
The color and clarity of dioptase are quite stunning; however, it is infrequent to find any specimen larger than fragmented crystals. A fist-sized specimen is a real find! This mineral is incredibly fragile and can break at the slightest jostle. Surprisingly, when dioptase is heated, it releases an electric charge.
Etymology & Origins
Dioptase was used to highlight the edges of the eyes on the three Pre-Pottery Neolithic B lime plaster statues discovered at 'Ain Ghazal known as Micah, Heifa and Noah. These sculptures date back to about 7200 BC. Late in the 18th century, copper miners at the Altyn-Tyube (Altyn-Tube) mine, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan thought they found the emerald deposit of their dreams. They found fantastic cavities in quartz veins in a limestone, filled with thousands of lustrous emerald-green transparent crystals. The crystals were dispatched to Moscow, Russia, for analysis. However, the mineral's inferior hardness of 5 compared with emerald's greater hardness of 8 easily distinguished it. Later Fr. René Just Haüy (the famed French mineralogist) in 1797 determined that the enigmatic Altyn-Tyube mineral was new to science and named it dioptase (Greek, dia, "through" and optos, "visible"), alluding to the mineral's two cleavage directions that are visible inside unbroken crystals.
Uses & Applications
Dioptase is very desirable for collectors as a decorative piece, due to its vivid hue and attractive clustered crystals. It is quite fragile, but can be carefully used for some types of jewelry. It can also be ground up and used as a paint pigment.
Healing Properties
Dioptase is believe release negative energy from the body and allow positive energy to flow through, providing a healing influence throughout. It will dissolve any blockages that are keeping the user from reaching their dreams and goals. It aids a person in areas of self-forgiveness and self-acceptance, and may help them to feel compassion for others as well as themselves.
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.644-1.720
- Birefringence
- 0.051-0.053
- Pleochroism
- Weak: dark emerald green, light emerald green
- Optical Character
- Biaxial positive
- Dispersion
- 0.036
Market Value Factors
Pricing varies for every rock and mineral, so use these universal factors to gauge Dioptase before comparing listings or appraisals.
Size & Weight
Larger, intact specimens usually command higher prices.
Rarity & Demand
Scarce material or popular varieties sell at a premium.
Condition & Finish
Chips, repairs, and heavy wear lower value; clean prep helps.
Treatment & Provenance
Untreated specimens with documented locality are prized.
Dioptase Localities Map
See where Dioptase is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.
The Meaning
Dioptase is a birthstone for Sagittarius and Scorpio. Its application as a pigment in artistic works goes back as far as Neolithic times. During the 9th century B.C. in present-day Jordan, several statues from the famous group of ceramic figures of 'Ain Ghazal had their eyes outlined in green dioptase pigment. It was also used by Russian icon painters.
Associated Chakras
Key Characteristics
Formation of Dioptase
Dioptase is an uncommon mineral found mostly in desert regions where it forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide mineral deposits. However, the process of its formation is not simple, the oxidation of copper sulfides should be insufficient to crystallize dioptase as silica is normally minutely soluble in water except at highly alkaline pH. The oxidation of sulfides will generate highly acidic fluids rich in sulfuric acid that should suppress silica solubility. However, in dry climates and with enough time, especially in areas of a mineral deposit where acids are buffered by carbonate, minute quantities of silica may react with dissolved copper forming dioptase and chrysocolla. The Altyn Tube mine in Kazakhstan still provides handsome specimens; a brownish quartzite host distinguishes its specimens from other localities. The finest specimens of all were found at the Tsumeb Mine in Tsumeb, Namibia. Tsumeb dioptase is transparent and often highly sought after by collectors. Dioptase is also found in the deserts of the southwestern US. A notable occurrence is the old Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine near Mammoth, Arizona where small crystals that make fine micromount specimens are found. In addition, many small, pale-green colored crystals of dioptase have come from the Christmas Mine near Hayden, Arizona. Another classic locality for fine specimens is Renéville, Congo-Brazzaville. Finally, an interesting occurrence is the Malpaso Quarry in and near Agua de Oro Argentina. Here tiny bluish-green dioptase is found on and in quartz. It appears at this occurrence, dioptase is primary and has crystallized with quartz, native copper, and malachite.
Composition of Dioptase
Dioptase is a cyclosilicate mineral consisting of Si6O18 rings which are linked together by Jahn–Teller distorted octahedral d9 Cu(II) ions. Each copper ion is coordinated by four cyclosilicate oxygens and two water molecules. Although the copper ions are six-coordinate, they can be viewed as square planar. The copper centers have approximately C4V symmetry. Each Cu(II) shares a square planar edge with another Cu(II) and corners with two more. The copper ions are responsible for the mineral's color and magnetic properties. A broad visible absorption band at 752 nm is observed. Dioptase is anti-ferromagnetic at low temperatures (Néel temperature of 70 K). Above 70 K, it obeys the Curie-Weiss law.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Dioptase dust is toxic because it contains heavy metals Copper.
- ⚠️Copper
- ⚠️It's advisable to handle dioptase carefully to avoid generating dust and wash hands thoroughly afterward. When cutting or polishing dioptase, wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling heavy metal particles. Store dioptase in a sealed container in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets. For those involved in crystal healing, never put it in your mouth.
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Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Emerald Green, blue-green
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5
- Density
- 3.296 g/cm³
- Streak
- Green
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Crystal System
- Trigonal
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- CuSiO3 · H2O
- Elements
- Cu, H, O, Si
Also Known As
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Dioptase FAQs
How do I identify Dioptase?
Dioptase can be identified by its hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, Emerald Green color, Vitreous luster, Trigonal crystal system. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.
What color is Dioptase?
Dioptase typically appears in Emerald Green, blue-green. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.
How hard is Dioptase?
Dioptase has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.
What is the formation of dioptase of Dioptase?
Dioptase is an uncommon mineral found mostly in desert regions where it forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide mineral deposits. However, the process of its formation is not simple, the oxidation of copper sulfides should be insufficient to crystallize dioptase as silica is normally minutely soluble in water except at highly alkaline pH. The oxidation of sulfides will generate highly acidic fluids rich in sulfuric acid that should suppress silica solubility. However, in dry climates and with enough time, especially in areas of a mineral deposit where acids are buffered by carbonate, minute quantities of silica may react with dissolved copper forming dioptase and chrysocolla. The Altyn Tube mine in Kazakhstan still provides handsome specimens; a brownish quartzite host distinguishes its specimens from other localities. The finest specimens of all were found at the Tsumeb Mine in Tsumeb, Namibia. Tsumeb dioptase is transparent and often highly sought after by collectors. Dioptase is also found in the deserts of the southwestern US. A notable occurrence is the old Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine near Mammoth, Arizona where small crystals that make fine micromount specimens are found. In addition, many small, pale-green colored crystals of dioptase have come from the Christmas Mine near Hayden, Arizona. Another classic locality for fine specimens is Renéville, Congo-Brazzaville. Finally, an interesting occurrence is the Malpaso Quarry in and near Agua de Oro Argentina. Here tiny bluish-green dioptase is found on and in quartz. It appears at this occurrence, dioptase is primary and has crystallized with quartz, native copper, and malachite.
What is the composition of dioptase of Dioptase?
Dioptase is a cyclosilicate mineral consisting of Si6O18 rings which are linked together by Jahn–Teller distorted octahedral d9 Cu(II) ions. Each copper ion is coordinated by four cyclosilicate oxygens and two water molecules. Although the copper ions are six-coordinate, they can be viewed as square planar. The copper centers have approximately C4V symmetry. Each Cu(II) shares a square planar edge with another Cu(II) and corners with two more. The copper ions are responsible for the mineral's color and magnetic properties. A broad visible absorption band at 752 nm is observed. Dioptase is anti-ferromagnetic at low temperatures (Néel temperature of 70 K). Above 70 K, it obeys the Curie-Weiss law.
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