Dioptase, Duftite & Calcite, Tsumeb, Namibia

Our close friend, Sarah Topham, was Prosper Williams' partner decades ago when the two were bringing the first minerals out of the, now famous, mines of Tsumeb, Namibia in the 1970s. This very attractive specimen was in Sarah's personal collection until now. There are a variety of sizes and habits of emerald-green dioptase crystals scattered across the entire specimen resting upon contrasting white calcite. The calcite, in turn, is a coating on a brick-coloured (iron-rich?) matrix. Like a winter storm that blows snow horizontally, light green duftite appears to have been "blown" from one direction only, coating some of the dioptase. Mineralogically very interesting and certainly showy. A nice, small cabinet sized piece from a pair of famous Canadian mineral dealers. Ex Prosper J. Williams and Sarah Topham collections and accompanied by Prosper's label. From Tsumeb, Namibia. Dimensions: 5.5 cm x 11 cm