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Dioptase
Cyclosilicate group
Formule chimique :
CuSiO2(OH)2
Système cristallin :
Rhombohedral
Etymologie :
Dioptase takes its name from the Greek diopteuein which means the fact that the cleavages are visible through the mineral.
Dureté :
5
Densité :
3.3
Propriétés physiques :
Dioptase has a vitreous luster and ranges in color from emerald green to very dark green. Dioptase has a random break and a perfect rhombohedral cleavage.
Propriétés chimiques :
Dioptase is poorly soluble in acids.
Formule chimique :
CuSiO2(OH)2
Habitus :
Dioptase is often found in the form of stocky crystals or in the form of more or less elongated prisms. Dioptase can also but more rarely present a needle-like habitus.
Gîtologie :
Dioptase is characteristic of oxidation zones of copper deposits (secondary mineral).
Determination :
Easy because of its color and the shape of the crystals.
Utilisation :
Dioptase has no industrial use but has sometimes been used in jewelry as an emerald imitation. Because of its relative rarity, dioptase is valued by mineral collectors.
In the world, the most beautiful specimens of Dioptase come from Kyrgyzstan (ex-USSR), from Katanga in Zaire and especially from the Tsumeb deposit in Namibia which provided in considerable quantity of very beautiful crystals of dioptase. There is no notable description of dioptase in France.
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