DIOPTASE

Dioptase is a beautiful emerald-green to bluish-green copper cyclosilicate mineral. It is transparent to translucent with a chemical composition of Cu6Si6O18·6H2O and a Mohs hardness of 5 – which happens to be the same as tooth enamel. Dioptase is uncommon and is mostly found in desert regions. There, it forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide mineral deposits. It crystallizes in the trigonal crystal structure with six sides that terminate as rhombohedra. Dioptase and chrysocolla are the best known and most widely available copper silicate minerals.

DIOPTASE HISTORY AND USES

Historically, Dioptase was once used to highlight the edges of the eyes on the three Neolithic pre-pottery plaster statues, which were discovered at 'Ain Ghazal, in Jordan. They are known as Micah, Heifa and Noah, and these sculptures date back to around 7200 BC, or 9,200 years ago. Much later, in the year 1797, French Priest and mineralogist, Abbé Haüy, determined that the copper-silicate mineral was, in fact, a newly discovered mineral and named it dioptase, for the Greek, dia, "through" and optos, "visible", alluding to the internal cleavage planes that are visible inside of unbroken crystals.

DIOPTASE METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, dioptase is said to provide its user with energies of compassion. A crystal of the Heart Chakra, dioptase can help to facilitate healing and forgiveness when faced with emotional angst. Considered an excellent energy conduit for personal well-being, dioptase can provide much needed insights into childhood traumas, and encourage a healthy release of unwanted emotional baggage. Physically, dioptase is said to aid the body with detoxification. It is also said to aid the mind in the release of stress, as well as giving its user a more focused energy to overpower addiction and drug abuse. Dioptase is also said to aid a fatigued body by supplying healthy blood flow circulation. It is also said to provide relief from migraines and heart related afflictions.