{"product_id":"natural-dioptase-specimen-mfouati-congo","title":"Natural Dioptase Specimen | Vivid Emerald-Green Crystal | Mfouati, Congo","description":"\u003ch2\u003eNatural Dioptase Specimen — Mfouati District, Republic of the Congo\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA superb example of one of the mineral world’s most coveted green crystals. This natural, untreated dioptase specimen displays an intense, almost electric emerald-green colour with exceptional surface lustre — the hallmark of a high-quality Congo locality piece. A standout addition to any mineral collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dioptase (Cu₆[Si₆O₁₈]·6H₂O)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 58 × 45 × 24 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 64 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mfouati District, Bouenza Department, Republic of the Congo\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intense emerald-green to deep teal-green\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLustre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vitreous to sub-adamantine — highly lustrous\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTreatment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural and untreated\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou receive:\u003c\/strong\u003e The exact piece shown\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGeology of Dioptase\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDioptase is a rare copper cyclosilicate mineral with the chemical formula Cu₆[Si₆O₁₈]·6H₂O. It forms in the oxidation zones of copper ore deposits, typically in arid environments where copper-rich groundwater reacts with silica to produce vivid emerald-green to blue-green prismatic crystals. Its crystal system is \u003cstrong\u003etrigonal\u003c\/strong\u003e, and it belongs to the \u003cstrong\u003ecyclosilicate\u003c\/strong\u003e subclass — the same structural group as beryl and tourmaline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal system:\u003c\/strong\u003e Trigonal (rhombohedral)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5 on the Mohs scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCleavage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perfect in three directions — rhombohedral\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific gravity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3.28–3.35\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLustre:\u003c\/strong\u003e Vitreous to sub-adamantine\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransparency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Transparent to translucent\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStreak:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pale green\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated minerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Malachite, chrysocolla, quartz, calcite, wulfenite\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFormation environment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Secondary oxidation zones of copper sulphide deposits\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNotable localities:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mfouati (Congo), Tsumeb (Namibia), Altyn-Tyube (Kazakhstan), Bisbee (Arizona, USA), Mindouli (Congo)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Discovery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDioptase was first described in \u003cstrong\u003e1797\u003c\/strong\u003e by the French mineralogist \u003cstrong\u003eRené-Just Haüy\u003c\/strong\u003e, who named it from the Greek words \u003cem\u003edia\u003c\/em\u003e (through) and \u003cem\u003eoptomai\u003c\/em\u003e (to see) — a reference to the visible cleavage planes visible through the crystal faces. Before its formal identification, specimens from Kazakhstan were mistakenly believed to be emeralds due to their near-identical colour, and were reportedly sent to the Russian Imperial Court as such.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Republic of the Congo — particularly the Mfouati and Mindouli districts of the Bouenza and Pool Departments — has been one of the world’s premier dioptase localities since the 20th century, producing specimens of exceptional crystal size, colour saturation, and matrix quality that are prized by museums and private collectors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCrystal Properties \u0026amp; Metaphysical Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDioptase is associated with the \u003cstrong\u003eheart chakra\u003c\/strong\u003e and is regarded in crystal healing traditions as one of the most powerful stones for emotional renewal and forgiveness. Its vivid green resonance is said to dissolve old emotional wounds, encourage compassion, and reconnect the holder with a sense of abundance and joy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChakra:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heart (4th)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eZodiac:\u003c\/strong\u003e Scorpio, Sagittarius, Virgo\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKey properties:\u003c\/strong\u003e Emotional healing, forgiveness, compassion, abundance, living in the present moment\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow to use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Place on the heart during meditation, display in a healing space, or hold during breathwork to release emotional tension\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eMineral collectors seeking a high-quality Congo locality piece\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCrystal healers working with heart chakra energy\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eCollectors of rare copper-bearing minerals\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eThoughtful gifts for geology enthusiasts or spiritual practitioners\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDisplay in a home office, study, or meditation space\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCare Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDioptase is relatively soft (Mohs 5) — handle with care and store separately from harder minerals\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAvoid water immersion — the copper content can leach and the crystal structure is sensitive to moisture\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eKeep away from direct sunlight to preserve colour intensity\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eDust gently with a soft dry brush\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eNatural Specimen Notice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a natural mineral specimen, minor surface variations, matrix inclusions, or contact marks are inherent to the piece and not considered defects. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNeed additional photos or have a question? \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/contact\"\u003eContact us\u003c\/a\u003e — we’re happy to help.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFollow us on Instagram \u003cstrong\u003e@Million_Years_Crystal\u003c\/strong\u003e for new arrivals and giveaways.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Million Years Crystal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57170065785207,"sku":"DIOPTASE-CONGO-001","price":165.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0920\/4642\/6487\/files\/NaturalDioptaseSpecimen2.jpg?v=1781258362","url":"https:\/\/millionyearscrystal.com\/products\/natural-dioptase-specimen-mfouati-congo","provider":"Million Years Crystal","version":"1.0","type":"link"}