Dioptase (copper emerald, achirite, ashirite): mineral properties, color description, application

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:54

Seeing for the first time this translucent stone with a delicate green tint, an inexperienced person will decide that he is facing a natural emerald. But this is a delusion. In fact, this is a copper emerald, very similar in appearance to a natural stone, but having a different chemical composition and properties. Dioptase (achirite, ashirite) is a rare mineral that belongs to the group of copper silicates.

Because of its characteristic dense dark green color, he received one of his names. It is more fragile than a precious stone, it is less hard, therefore it is not used very often in jewelry.

Some historical facts

In the second half of the 18th century, the merchant Ashir Zaripov discovered these stones in the mountains of Kazakhstan. He was sure that he became the owner of real emeralds. The merchant sold them to an English officer who at that time served in the Russian army. Several copies were brought to St. Petersburg. Here the find was named after the merchant - a stoneashirit (asharit). Only eight years later, T. Lovitz, a Russian scientist, having carefully studied the mineral, found out that the find was not an emerald, but a copper silicate. Since then, it has been called the "pseudo emerald".

The well-known mineralogist from France R. Hayuy gave the mineral a scientific name - dioptase, which consists of two Greek words. They can be translated as "watching through", which characterize the translucency of the stone. Due to its resemblance to the precious emerald, the mineral is used to make high quality emerald imitations.

During the reign of Catherine II, the dioptase stone was very popular at court. Any noble lady could boast of exquisite jewelry with inserts of raw crystals.

Description of copper emerald

Although scientists believe the mineral is just a fake of the precious emerald, many stone lovers consider it incredibly beautiful. Exquisite color - from soft emerald green to deep dark green - fascinates. There are even minerals that have a blue tint. Dioptase stone is composed of silica and copper oxide. Its crystals easily crumble and break. In crushed form, they have long been used by icon painters as a green pigment.

Characteristics of a copper emerald differ markedly from a gemstone. Its density is lower. The edge of the crystal at the break is conchoidal, stepped-uneven. At the same time, ashirite is a valuable and rare mineral. Dioptase has a pronounced vitreous luster. On planes, this sheen can be pearly.

Composition

Despite the striking resemblance of ashirite to emerald, they are different in composition. The first relates to hydrous copper silicate. It is composed of 11% water, approximately 38% silicon dioxide and 51% copper oxide. Sometimes the composition of the mineral includes an admixture of iron (about 1%).

Deposits

Copper emerald is not mined as an accompanying rock, it stands out only in the form of a pure crystal. It is often replaced in deposits by chrysocolla and is usually found adjacent to limonite, malachite, calcite, or azurite.

The largest mineral deposits are in Eurasia, North and South America, Africa. In Europe, ashirite deposits are located in Italy. In Africa, the mineral is found in the Congo, Namibia and Zaire. Here it is highly valued. The copper emerald has been awarded the status of a national symbol.

Applications

In jewelry art, dioptase is not widely used, although jewelry made from it is very beautiful. The size of the crystals rarely exceeds two centimeters, so they are used to make only small items. Minerals no more than two carats are processed using an emerald cut. The mineral pigment ashirita is used to paint icons even today.

Natural healer

The powerful energy of the copper emerald has been used in lithotherapy. When heated, the mineral helps to treat diseases of the upper respiratory tract, heart and blood vessels, relieves irritability, and calms the nervous system. Adherents of thismethod of treatment, it is believed that sessions with dioptase are indicated for pregnant women, patients who have had a heart attack and a stroke. A pendant, brooch or amulet with a copper emerald is recommended to be worn at the level of the chest for everyone who suffers from pathologies of the heart and blood vessels.

Dioptase improves the condition in diseases of the respiratory tract, including ailments affecting the trachea, throat and bronchi. In such a situation, it is advisable to wear an amulet with this mineral around the neck.

Traditional healers use ashirite powder to treat wounds that do not heal for a long time. A brooch or pendant pinned to clothing helps to ease breathing in people with asthma. The healing properties of this mineral can relieve overexcitation and bring a person out of depression. To do this, you must have a small crystal of a green healer with you.

Magic stone

For a long time, green has been considered a symbol of financial well-being and prosperity. Cases related to financial flows require each person to be reasonable and calm. And here you can not do without the magic of a copper emerald. It is these qualities that the mineral brings to the life of its owner.

You may have met women who constantly wear copper emerald jewelry: over time, they look especially impressive and attractive. Men who possess this stone are distinguished by decisiveness in business and self-confidence. However, the mineral is not conducive to creating families.

According to magicians, a person who owns a stone for a long time experiences closeassociation with the mineral. Copper emerald as if teaches its owner to read and understand the thoughts of the people around him, warns against hasty and thoughtless actions. The stone cleanses karma, teaches people to feel and sympathize with other people's pain, and not only physical.

Who is Ashirite suitable for?

The mineral does not tolerate signs whose representatives are prone to fraud, deceit, adventurous acts. These include Scorpio, Capricorn, Aries. The copper emerald will not only not help them, but can also harm them.

He is more favorable to other signs. Prefers enterprising Cancers, ambitious Lions, practical Virgos. And for everyone else, possession of this stone will bring positive changes in the fate, but on the condition that their actions and thoughts are open and directed for the benefit of others.