Dioptase - Ntola Mine, Congo, Republic of the - 3.2 cm x 5.7 cm
Mineral: Dioptase
Locality: Ntola Mine, Mindouli, Mindouli District, Pool Department, Republic of the Congo
Dimensions: 3.2 cm x 5.7 cm

Description: Lustrous emerald green dioptase crystals to 3 mm forming several semi-concave casts of a previously unknown mineral, perhaps shattuckite. A few tiny yellow mimetite crystals line the edges. From 2016 to 2018 large numbers of these unusual dioptase specimens were produced, first appearing on the U.S. market in August 2019. The mine closed in Spring 2019.