Dioptase
A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Mariusz Oleszczuk
About Dioptase
Formula:
CuSiO3 Β· H2O
Notes
Colour:
Emerald Green, blue-green
Lustre:
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Hardness:
5
Specific Gravity:
3.28 - 3.35
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Name:
Named in 1797 by Hauy from the Greek for "through" and "to see" in allusion to the visibility of internal cleavage planes.
Bright emerald-green modified rhombohedral usually elongated crystals, usually less than 0.75 cm in size.
Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Dioptase.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
1295
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:1295:5
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
13029dc9-6e2e-4025-8ec1-ed3b6643f99e
IMA Classification of Dioptase
Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)
Classification of Dioptase
9.CJ.30
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
C : Cyclosilicates
J : [Si6O18]12- 6-membered single rings (sechser-Einfachringe), without insular complex anions
Dana 7th ed.:
61.1.3.1
61.1.3.1
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
61 : CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
1 : Six-Membered Rings with [Si6O18] rings; possible (OH) and Al substitution
14.2.1
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates of Cu
14 : Silicates not Containing Aluminum
2 : Silicates of Cu
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMAβCNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
Please only use the official IMAβCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Please only use the official IMAβCNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.
Symbol | Source | Reference |
---|---|---|
Dpt | IMAβCNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMAβCNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Dpt | Whitney & Evans (2010) | Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185β187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371 |
Pronunciation of Dioptase
Pronunciation:
Play | Recorded by | Country |
---|---|---|
Jolyon Ralph | United Kingdom | |
Debbie Woolf | United Kingdom |
Physical Properties of Dioptase
Sub-Adamantine, Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Emerald Green, blue-green
Streak:
Green
Hardness:
5 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {1011}
Perfect on {1011}
Fracture:
Irregular/Uneven, Conchoidal
Density:
3.28 - 3.35 g/cm3 (Measured) 3.296 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Dioptase
Type:
Uniaxial (+)
RI values:
nω = 1.652 - 1.658 nε = 1.704 - 1.710
Max Birefringence:
δ = 0.052
Image shows birefringence interference colour range (at 30µm thickness)
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
and does not take into account mineral colouration.
Surface Relief:
High
Pleochroism:
Weak
Comments:
O>E
Chemistry of Dioptase
Mindat Formula:
CuSiO3 Β· H2O
Notes
Notes
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Dioptase
Crystal System:
Trigonal
Class (H-M):
3 - Rhombohedral
Space Group:
R3
Cell Parameters:
a = 14.566 Å, c = 7.778 Å
Ratio:
a:c = 1 : 0.534
Unit Cell V:
1,429.15 Γ
Β³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
18
Morphology:
Long to short prismatic [0001], dominant forms {1120}, and {0221}, {1341}.
Twinning:
On {1011}, uncommon.
Crystallographic forms of Dioptase
Crystal Atlas:
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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure
ID | Species | Reference | Link | Year | Locality | Pressure (GPa) | Temp (K) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
0000587 | Dioptase | Ribbe P H, Gibbs G V, Hamil M (1977) A refinement of the structure of dioptase, Cu6[Si6O18]*6H2O American Mineralogist 62 807-811 | 1977 | 0 | 293 | ||
0008642 | Dioptase | Belokoneva E L, Gubina Y K, Forsyth J B, Brown P J (2002) The charge-density distribution, its multipole refinement and the antiferromagnetic structure of dioptase, Cu6[Si6O18].6H2O Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 29 430-438 | 2002 | 0 | 293 |
CIF Raw Data - click here to close
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
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Radiation - Copper Kα
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacing | Intensity |
---|---|
7.29 Γ | (50) |
6.63 Γ | (4) |
4.90 Γ | (25) |
4.21 Γ | (5) |
4.07 Γ | (30) |
3.716 Γ | (7) |
3.644 Γ | (9) |
3.309 Γ | (9) |
3.190 Γ | (15) |
3.015 Γ | (5) |
2.922 Γ | (6) |
2.754 Γ | (9) |
2.714 Γ | (20) |
2.600 Γ | (100) |
2.443 Γ | (60) |
2.400 Γ | (15) |
2.323 Γ | (1) |
2.280 Γ | (10) |
2.207 Γ | (9) |
2.176 Γ | (3) |
2.117 Γ | (20) |
2.033 Γ | (7) |
2.021 Γ | (6) |
2.004 Γ | (1) |
1.9576 Γ | (4) |
1.8877 Γ | (5) |
1.8684 Γ | (2) |
1.8583 Γ | (1) |
1.8310 Γ | (1) |
1.8218 Γ | (2) |
1.8009 Γ | (1) |
1.7728 Γ | (3) |
1.7566 Γ | (10) |
1.7242 Γ | (20) |
1.7078 Γ | (9) |
1.6999 Γ | (20) |
1.6718 Γ | (1) |
1.6353 Γ | (7) |
1.6143 Γ | (3) |
1.5951 Γ | (5) |
1.5903 Γ | (4) |
1.5452 Γ | (1) |
1.5071 Γ | (15) |
1.4905 Γ | (6) |
1.4790 Γ | (1) |
1.4754 Γ | (1) |
1.4621 Γ | (1) |
1.4569 Γ | (2) |
1.4510 Γ | (4) |
1.4333 Γ | (1) |
Comments:
ICDD 33-487.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
---|---|
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event | <2.4 |
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals] |
Geological Setting:
In the oxidized zone of some copper deposits.
Type Occurrence of Dioptase
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
No defined type material.
Geological Setting of Type Material:
A secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper deposits.
Synonyms of Dioptase
Other Language Names for Dioptase
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
1,485 photos of Dioptase associated with Calcite | CaCO3 |
382 photos of Dioptase associated with Quartz | SiO2 |
294 photos of Dioptase associated with Plancheite | Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4 Β· H2O |
282 photos of Dioptase associated with Malachite | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
277 photos of Dioptase associated with Wulfenite | Pb(MoO4) |
243 photos of Dioptase associated with Duftite | PbCu(AsO4)(OH) |
230 photos of Dioptase associated with Chrysocolla | Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 Β· nH2O, x < 1 |
202 photos of Dioptase associated with Shattuckite | Cu5(Si2O6)2(OH)2 |
170 photos of Dioptase associated with Cerussite | PbCO3 |
85 photos of Dioptase associated with Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
9.CJ. | Avdeevite | NaAl4(Be5Li)(Si6O18)2(H2O)1-2 |
9.CJ. | Nakkaalaaqite | K2[Na3Ca]LiCa2Ti2Be4Si12O38 |
9.CJ. | Zolotarevite | Na5Zr[Si6O15(OH)3] Β· 3H2O |
9.CJ. | Beryllocordierite-Na | NaMg4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 Β· 2H2O |
9.CJ. | BeryllosachanbiΕskiite-Na | NaMn4(Al5Be)(AlSi5O18)2 Β· 2H2O |
9.CJ.05 | Bazzite | Be3Sc2(Si6O18) |
9.CJ.05 | Beryl | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
9.CJ.05 | Indialite | Mg2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
9.CJ.05 va | Vorobyevite | Be3Al2(Si6O18) |
9.CJ.05 | Stoppaniite | Be3Fe3+2(Si6O18) Β· H2O |
9.CJ.05 | Ferroindialite | (Fe2+,Mg)2Al4Si5O18 |
9.CJ.05 | Johnkoivulaite | Cs[Be2B]Mg2Si6O18 |
9.CJ.10 | Cordierite | (Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
9.CJ.10 | Sekaninaite | (Fe,Mg)2Al3(AlSi5O18) |
9.CJ.15a | Combeite | Na4.5Ca3.5Si6O17.5(OH)0.5 |
9.CJ.15b | Imandrite | Na12Ca3Fe3+2(Si6O18)2 |
9.CJ.15a | Kazakovite | Na6Mn2+Ti(Si6O18) |
9.CJ.15c | Koashvite | Na6(Ca,Mn)(Ti,Fe)Si6O18 Β· H2O |
9.CJ.15a | Lovozerite | Na2Ca(Zr,Ti)(Si6O12)[(OH)4O2] Β· H2O |
9.CJ.15a | Tisinalite | Na3H3(Mn,Ca,Fe)TiSi6(O,OH)18 Β· 2H2O |
9.CJ.15a | Zirsinalite | Na6(Ca,Mn2+,Fe2+)Zr(Si6O18) |
9.CJ.15a | Litvinskite | Na2(β»,Na,Mn)ZrSi6O12(OH,O)6 |
9.CJ.15a | Kapustinite | Na6ZrSi6O16(OH)2 |
9.CJ.15a | Townendite | Na8ZrSi6O18 |
9.CJ.25 | Baratovite | KCa7(Ti,Zr)2Li3Si12O36F2 |
9.CJ.25 | Katayamalite | KLi3Ca7Ti2(SiO3)12(OH)2 |
9.CJ.25 | Aleksandrovite | KCa7Sn2Li3Si12O36F2 |
9.CJ.35 | Kostylevite | K2Zr(Si3O9) Β· H2O |
9.CJ.40 | Petarasite | Na5Zr2(Si6O18)(Cl,OH) Β· 2H2O |
9.CJ.45 | Gerenite-(Y) | (Ca,Na)2(Y,REE)3Si6O18 Β· 2H2O |
9.CJ.50 | Odintsovite | K2Na4Ca3Ti2Be4Si12O38 |
9.CJ.55 | Mathewrogersite | Pb7FeAl3GeSi12O36(OH,H2O)6 |
9.CJ.60 | Pezzottaite | Cs(Be2Li)Al2(Si6O18) |
Fluorescence of Dioptase
Nonfluorescent in UV.
Other Information
Electrical:
Pyroelectric
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Dioptase
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-1295.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
Mineral Dealers:
References for Dioptase
Reference List:
Miller, W. H. (1842) XLVII. On the optical constants of tourmaline, dioptase and anatase. The London, Edinburgh, And Dublin Philosophical Magazine And Journal Of Science, S. 3 Vol. 21 (138) London. 277-278 doi:10.1080/14786444208621546
Jannettaz, Γdouard (1890) Note sur une dioptase du Congo franΓ§ais. Bulletin de MinΓ©ralogie, 13 (4) 159 doi:10.3406/bulmi.1890.2166
Heide, H. G., Boll-Dornberger, K., Thilo, E., Thilo, E. M. (1955) Die Struktur des Dioptas, Cu6(Si6O18)6H2O. Acta Crystallographica, 8 (7) 425-430 doi:10.1107/s0365110x55001345
Ribbe, Paul H., Gibbs, G. V., Hamil, Martha M. (1977) A refinement of the structure of dioptase, Cu6[Si6O18]Β·6H2O. American Mineralogist, 62 (7-8) 807-811
McKeown, David A., Kim, Charles C., Bell, Michael I. (1995) Vibrational analysis of dioptase Cu6Si6O18.6(H2O) and its puckered six-membered ring. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 22 (3) doi:10.1007/bf00202293
Goryainov, S. V. (1996) Dehydration-induced changes in the vibrational states of dioptase Cu6Si6O18Β·6H2O. Journal of Structural Chemistry, 37 (1). 58-64 doi:10.1007/bf02578571
Cook, Robert B. (2002) Connoisseur's Choice: Dioptase, Tsumeb, Namibia. Rocks & Minerals, 77 (3) 176-180 doi:10.1080/00357529.2002.9926680
Localities for Dioptase
Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
β - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
Struck out - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality.
Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Angola | |
| Gysin (1957) +1 other reference |
Argentina | |
| Colombo et al. (2011) |
Australia | |
| Haupt |
| Vera Munro-Smith (2006) |
Canada | |
| HorvΓ‘th et al. (2013) |
Chile | |
| Braithwaite et al. (2004) |
| Maurizio Dini collection +1 other reference |
| sample analysed by Tony Kampf |
| |
| Uwe Kolitsch collection (SXRD-analysed) |
Sernageomin database 2005 +1 other reference | |
Mr. Terry Szenics. Joan Rosell specimen ... | |
| maurizio dini collection - analysed ... |
| collected and analysed by french ... |
samples analysed by Gerhard Moehn | |
Sample from the collection of CopiapΓ³ ... | |
| hède frédéric |
| Sernageomin database 2005 +1 other reference |
| Gerhard MΓΆhn collection |
| Mr. Terry Szenics +1 other reference |
| "Informe preliminar sobre las minas del ... +3 other references |
Sullivan (1979) | |
China | |
| Jiyuan Zhou et al. (1999) |
Czech Republic | |
| |
| Petr PauliΕ‘ (2000) |
| Sejkora et al. (2007) |
DR Congo | |
| |
| Mineralogical Record: 20: 287-288. |
Deliens (1996) | |
| Kampunzu et al. (2009) |
Jordi Fabre specimen | |
| Wilson (2018) |
Deliens (1989) +1 other reference | |
| Mineralogical Record 22: 13-20 |
France | |
| Caubel (1997) |
Germany | |
| Mineralien-Welt (2) |
| Wittern (2001) |
Iran | |
| Bariand et al. (1963) |
| K. J. Henley (1970) |
Israel | |
| Shlomovitch et al. (1999) |
Bartura et al. (1974) | |
Italy | |
| Giuseppe Pipino - L'antica miniera di ... +1 other reference |
| Gruppo Mineralogico Lombardo (10) |
| Stara P. (1996) |
Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
Fernando Caboni et al. (2024) | |
| L. Dell'Anna (1967) |
Japan | |
| Watanabe et al. (2003) |
Kazakhstan (TL) | |
| Cooper (1992) +1 other reference |
Kazakhstan/Russia | |
Mason (1976) | |
Mexico | |
| Singer et al. (2008) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Rob Lavinsky. |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Megaw (2023) |
| Panczner (1987) |
| Fabre (n.d.) +1 other reference |
Morocco | |
| Tom Praskier has been to the locality and confirmed dioptase with (unknown) |
| |
Namibia | |
| Brandstetter (2012) |
Niedermayr et al. (2008) +1 other reference | |
von Bezing et al. (2016) | |
Schnaitmann et al. (2010) | |
Jakob (1987) +2 other references | |
Schnaitmann et al. (2010) | |
Schnaitmann et al. (2010) | |
Niedermayr et al. (2010) | |
von Bezing (2007) | |
von Bezing (2007) | |
BrandstΓ€tter +3 other references | |
| ... +1 other reference |
| [MinRec 19:117 |
Personally collected by Don Windeler in ... | |
| Henglein |
Bezing et al. (2007) | |
Cairncross (1997) | |
Cairncross (1997) +1 other reference | |
| Dunn (1991) |
Markham (1959) | |
| Jean-Pierre specimens photo ID 1182191 ... |
New Zealand | |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
| Railton et al. (1990) |
| Fraser (1910) |
Railton et al. (1990) | |
Peru | |
| - (specimens on sale in Lima, May 2004) |
| Guido del Castillo (2004) |
| |
Republic of the Congo | |
| - (Demetrius Pohl, http://www.mindat.org/mesg-6-234115.html ) |
| Demetrius Pohl |
- (n.d.) | |
Redpath Museum collection +1 other reference | |
| Demetrius Pohl |
| Rob Lavinsky |
| Demetrius Pohl |
Demetrius Pohl | |
Demetrius Pohl | |
- (Demetrius Pohl, http://www.mindat.org/mesg-6-234115.html ) | |
Demetrius Pohl +1 other reference | |
www.spiriferminerals.com (2020) +1 other reference | |
| Dan Weinrich specimen |
Robinson et al. (1993) | |
- (Demetrius Pohl, http://www.mindat.org/mesg-6-234115.html ) | |
Romania | |
| |
South Africa | |
| Rocks & Minerals 83:5 pp 410-421 |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
| Cairncross et al. (1995) |
Meyer et al. (1986) | |
UK | |
| Hartley (1984) +1 other reference |
USA | |
Mason (1976) | |
| Graeme (1993) |
Graeme (1981) | |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Robert Jenkins Raman Spectroscopy |
| Eastlick +1 other reference |
Chester S. Lemanski +1 other reference | |
| Keith (1972) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Lausen (1925) +2 other references |
| Lausen (1925) +2 other references |
| MRDS database Dep. ID #10095423 |
| Hills (1882) +6 other references |
| Dana |
MRDS database Dep. ID #10048279 | |
| Merritt Stephen Enders (2000) |
MRDS database Dep. ID #10048276 | |
| MRDS database Dep. ID #10048293 |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Hunt (1983) |
| Hunt (1983) |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| |
| MRDS file #10037093. |
| Thomas (1949) +1 other reference |
Thomas (1949) +3 other references | |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Luetcke (n.d.) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| King (n.d.) |
| Galbraith et al. (1940) +5 other references |
Palache et al. (1951) | |
Jones et al. (1983) | |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Smith (1887b) +2 other references |
| Jones (1983) |
| Anthony et al. (1995) |
| Min.Rec.: 20:69 +5 other references |
Short et al. (1943) +2 other references | |
| Rocks & Min.: 60 (1) +3 other references |
Anthony et al. (1995) | |
| Galbraith (1959) +1 other reference |
| Andrew Haighton Collection |
| Paul M. Adams (2003) |
| Ransome (1940) +1 other reference |
| [Mineralien Welt 1/93:44] |
| Murdoch (1966) |
| Personally collected by Bruce Kelley |
EDS analyzed by Bob Housley. | |
Murdoch (1966) | |
| Crowley (1977) +5 other references |
Thorne (n.d.) | |
Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
Collected by and in the collection of ... | |
Daniel J. Evanich field collected ... | |
| Morris Jr. (1983) |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
USGS PP 162] +1 other reference | |
USGS PP 162] +1 other reference | |
USGS PP 162] +1 other reference | |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
Castor et al. (2004) | |
| Kenneth Coleman |
| K. Starnes |
| Castor et al. (2004) |
| Cummings |
| Dr. Eugene Sensel |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Walstrom 2006 New Mexico Mineral ... |
| Walstrom 2006 New Mexico Mineral ... |
| Northrop et al. (1996) |
| Rocks & Minerals 81:229-234 |
| Dmitry Stepanenko collection |
Zambia | |
| Mike Sweeney collection |
Zimbabwe | |
| Cairncross (2004) |
| Cairncross (2004) |
Cairncross (2004) | |
| Cairncross (2004) +1 other reference |
| Cairncross (2004) |
Cairncross (2004) | |
Cairncross (2004) | |
| Cairncross (2004) |
| Cairncross (2004) |
Quick NavTopAbout DioptaseUnique IdentifiersIMA Classification Classification Mineral SymbolsPronunciation Physical Properties Optical Data Chemistry Crystallography Crystallographic forms Crystal StructureX-Ray Powder DiffractionGeological EnvironmentType Occurrence SynonymsOther LanguagesCommon AssociatesStrunz-MindatFluorescence Other InformationInternet Links References Localities Locality List
Altyn-Tyube dioptase deposit, Altyn-Tyube area, Bukhar-Zhyrau District, Karaganda Region, Kazakhstan