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Dioptase is an intense emerald-green to bluish-green copper cyclosilicate mineral. Dioptase is a very rare mineral found mostly in desert regions were it forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide mineral deposits.

Dioptase is popular with mineral collectors and it is occasionally cut into small emerald-like gems. Dioptase and chrysocolla are the only relatively common copper silicate minerals. Additionally, dioptase is very fragile and specimens must be handled with great care. A rare dioptase gem should never be exposed to ultrasonic cleaning or the fragile gem will shatter.
CuSiO3 H2O - Hydrated copper silicate
Class:
Subclass:
Emerald-green, to blue-green
Light blue-green
Vitreous to dull
Transparent to translucent
3.3
5
Good
Uneven to Conchoidal
Long to short prismatic crystals, granular
Non-fluorescent
Frequency:
Rare
Origin:
Secondary in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, associated with other secondary copper minerals.
Occurence:
Tsumeb, Namibia; Atyn Tyube, Kazakhstan; Renneville, Congo; Mammoth mine, Tiger, Arizona, USA.
Application:
Mineral specimen

 
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