Dioptase Stone of fairies by Rev. Carol A. Ingle (Raven)

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Dioptase Stone of fairies

Dioptase is an emerald green silicate of copper. Dioptase is often referred to as a ‘heart stone’ and is a powerful stone to awaken love and compassion and to heal emotional distress.

Late in the 18th century, copper miners at the Altyn-Tyube (Altyn-Tube) mine, Karagandy Province, Kazakhstan thought they found the emeralddeposit of their dreams. They found fantastic cavities in quartzveins in a limestone, filled with thousands of lustrous emerald-green transparent crystals. The crystals were dispatched to Moscow, Russiafor analysis. However the mineral's inferior hardness of 5 compared with emerald's greater hardness of 8 easily distinguished it. Later Fr. René Just Haüy (the famed French mineralogist) in 1797 determined that the enigmatic Altyn-Tyube mineral was new to science and named it dioptase (Greek, dia, "through" and optima, "vision"), alluding to the mineral's two cleavage directions that are visible inside unbroken crystals.

Dioptase is one of the few silicates to crystallize in the same symmetry class as dolomite and forms crystals that can have a typical carbonates' rhombohedral shape. Dioptase shares this symmetry with the typically ice clear silicate phenakite and the fluorescent but rarely well crystallized Willemite.

Dioptase is an uncommon mineral found mostly in desertregions where it forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidizedzone of copper sulfidemineral deposits. However, the process of its formation is not simple, the oxidationof copper sulfides should be insufficient to crystallize dioptase as silicais normally minutely soluble in water except at highly alkalinepH. The oxidation of sulfides will generate highly acidicfluids rich in sulfuric acidthat should suppress silica solubility. However, in dry climates and with enough time, especially in areas of a mineral deposit where acids are bufferedby carbonate, minute quantities of silica may react with dissolved copper forming dioptase and chrysocolla.

The Altyn Tube mine in Kazakhstan still provides handsome specimens; a brownish quartzite host distinguishes its specimens from other localities. The finest specimens of all were found at the Tsumeb Mine in Tsumeb, Namibia. Tsumeb dioptase is wonderfully lustrous and transparent, with its crystal often perched on an attractive snow-white carbonate matrix. Dioptase is also found in the deserts of the southwestern USA. A notable occurrence is the old Mammoth-Saint Anthony Mine near Mammoth, Arizona where small crystals that make fine micromount specimens are found. In addition, many small, pale-green colored crystals of dioptase have come from the Christmas Mine near Hayden, Arizona.

Another classic locality for fine specimens is Renéville, Congo-Brazzaville. Finally, an interesting occurrence is the Malpaso Quarry in Argentina. Here tiny bluish-green dioptase is found on and in quartz. It appears at this occurrence, dioptase is primary and has crystallized with quartz, native copper, and malachite.Dioptase is popular with mineral collectorsand it is occasionally cut into small emerald-like gems. Dioptase and chrysocollaare the only relatively common copper silicate minerals. A dioptase gemstone should never be exposed to ultrasonic cleaningor the fragile gem will shatter.

* Specimens of Dioptase are often deeply colored and show well developed crystals. The faces of the rhombohedrons, and even the prism faces, are very reflective due to a fairly high luster.

* Crystals can be quite clear but at times they seem to be cloudy due to the deep color. The special attributes of a high quality specimen of dioptase are hard to describe adequately but must be observed in person in order to appreciate their value. Fine crystals of dioptase are still available in large supplies but their sources are few and the continued demand may put a squeeze on their abundance in the future.

Crystals are transparent to translucent.

The crystal habits include stubby crystals that are usually well formed prisms topped with the three faces of a rhombohedon. Prisms are six sided and usually not very long. Simple rhombohedrons are also common, at times a second rhombohedron will modify the primary rhombohedron faces producing a second set of three smaller faces. Crusts and massive forms are also seen. Cleavage is perfect in three directions forming rhombohedrons.

Dioptase is a very beautiful mineral and it is one of the few minerals that can challenge the peerlessness of emerald's deep green. Unfortunately it is rather soft (for a gemstone) and has good cleavage and therefore is not usually cut as a gemstone. The mineral specimens that dioptase produces, however, are truly a treasure for anyone that likes deep green colors. Notable occurrences include Tsumeb, Namibia.

Dioptase at Tsumeb.

The dioptase from Tsumeb is the world's finest. Beautiful, lustrous, transparent, dark emerald-green crystals on white calcite crystals make spectacular specimens. Crystals have been found up to 5 cm in size, and crystals 1 cm in size are fairly common. An enormous amount of dioptase was recently encountered in the Fast 19 stope on the 32 level; the finest dioptase has come from the lower oxidation zone and has been collected during the last 5 years. A small find of unusual blue-green to turquoise-blue dioptase crystals has been reported later.

The exceptionally beautiful crystals of dioptase at Tsumeb occur almost exlusively in the country rock, and are only rarely ssociated with other secondary minerals. I have noted the ssociation of dioptase. One finds dioptase most frequently with older dolomite and younger calcite crystals. Sometimes a second generation of dioptase formed which is younger than the calcite. Duftite and plancheite are the next most common associates, and they are always older than dioptase.

DIOPTASE: The fairies love dioptase because it is one of their favorite colors and the crystalline structure ia especially healing to their sorts of predicamenta. People drawn to wear dioptase are fairy "dusters" meaning the fairy teachings have been a part of this person's past, and part of their present work is to provide a sense of the imaginative to others. There is much in this mineral regarding the need to be free and to play so that one is not overcome by one's commitments to purpose and mission.

This stone is a good stone for those born under the Zodiac Signs of Taurus and Libra.

Dioptase is a good stone for balancing the energies of all the Chakras. Dioptase is also good for breaking through any blocks in the lower three chakras and is a powerful healer for the heart and opener for the heart chakra. Dioptase activates spiritual attunement and psychic vision when placed on the third eye chakra. It brings awareness of inner riches. Meditation with dioptase helps to open your inner eyes. It is also a strong mental cleanser and detoxifier and an excellent stone for those suffering from emotional wounds. This gemstone dissolves grief, betrayal, heartache, pain, sorrow etc from the mind thereby relieving mental stress and promotes love, relaxation, positive attitude and emotional expressiveness. It promotes living in the present moment and activates past life memories.

Dioptase is used to treat chronic headaches, cell disorders, blood pressure and heart conditions.

DIOPTASE: Strengthens cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Excellent aid for ulcers, nervous stomach, heart troubles, blood pressure.

This stone is particularly effective for overcoming addictions and stress. Wearing this stone as jewelry is said to bring prosperity, creativity and good health to the wearer.

Vitalizes, balances, tones body/mind.
Emotional stability. Peach of mind.
Excellent for use with healing and affirmations.
Abundance, prosperity, progress, health, well-being.

Dioptase, with its beautiful, deep green crystals, is a young stone evolving into the vibrational potency of emeralds. Its strong healing green light reminds us of abundance and earth.

It is a lighthearted healing mineral which promotes the expression of ecstasy on a level which brings satisfaction.

Dioptase is easily polluted and must be cleansed once a week to maintain its "amperage*. Placing by water, following a moon exposure is excellent. Dioptase can be combined with violets to produce excellent elixirs. Daffodil and dioptase elixirs can counteract depression and post-partum blues. Cranberry and dioptase elixirs create a joyous heart. White lily and dioptase is an excellent preparation for PMS sufferers.. (4th)
 
Dioptase is a powerful stone to awaken love and compassion and to heal emotional distress. The beautiful green ray of dioptase makes it a heart stone on many levels.

Dioptase supports the emotional heart, strengthens the physical heart and awakens the spiritual heart.

Meditate with dioptase to open your inner eyes to your higher purpose.

* Releases emotional patterns

* Assists in understanding roles we have played as well as the roles of others in our lives

* Excellent stone to emotionally assist in experiencing divorce, death, or any intense family trauma

* Stimulates forgiveness and healing of emotional wounds

[WarMouse -Manager-]

I have been hunting for Dioptase for a couple years now and it has proven hard to come by. It truly is a beautiful stone! Do you know any other names that it may go by?

[Rev. Allen M. Drago ~ Traveler]

Dioptase is known as “the gem of the Congo.” Other names for it include “copper emerald” and “achrite.” It is also sometimes known as “the emerald of the poor” because it looks like emerald but is much more fragile. Dioptase was named in 1797 by mineralogist R. J. Hauy. The name comes from the Greek word “dia” for through, and “optomao,” to see, a reference to the visibility of the stone’s internal cleavage planes. Dioptase is a hydrated copper silicate that is highly valued by mineral collectors. Dioptase crystals usually take the form of short, six-sided prisms, often terminated by rhombohedra. It occurs in massive form and has sometimes been found in the oxidized, weathered parts of copper sulfide deposits with copper minerals such as chrysocolla. It is also found in association with dolomite, calcite, cerussite, and limonite.

Dioptase is of a gorgeous vivid emerald green color, with a hint of blue. Collectors prize the stone for its color and it has sometimes been confused with emerald. It has extremely high fire, however the fire is masked by its strong color, which makes the stones appear translucent, rather than transparent. Dioptase is rarely faceted as stones are brittle and fragile, rating only a 5 on the hardness scale; the stones are too soft to be worn on a regular basis. When dioptase is cut, it is usually cut into cabochon or brilliant cuts. When it is faceted, only the clear ends of large crystals are used for faceting. Cut dioptase stones often have a pearly appearance caused by the reflection from its tiny internal cleavage cracks.

The best quality dioptase comes from Russia, Namibia, Chile, Zaire, and in the United States, in Pinal County, Arizona. Major deposits also exist on Mount AltynTyube, Kazakhstan. In Africa, large specimen is found in Otavi, Namibia and the Pool region of the Republic of Congo. Other sources of dioptase include the Shaba province of the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Chile and Argentina.

There are many beliefs in the mystical powers dioptase possesses. It is a stone that has a happy, playful energy and has been called a heart healer. This playful energy is able to heal one’s inner child, releasing repressed pain that one might carry around for years. It also fills an emotional black hole that might be desperate for love, and it brings one closer to the inner self. Physically, it has been said to help regenerate the liver.

[WarMouse -Manager-]

Thank you for posting this!