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CHRYSOCOLLA FOR SALE
What Is Chrysocolla?
Chrysocolla is a secondary, copper based mineral that typically arises as a pseudomorph after azurite or malachite. Because of its secondary formation tendency, the only instance in which chrysocolla exhibits “crystals” is when it is a pseudomorph, otherwise this mineral technically has no crystals. In nature, chrysocolla forms in botryoidal, massive, reniform, and crust-like masses on whatever it is associated with.
Botryoidal chrysocolla on a quartz crystal - Tentadora Mine, Castrovirreyna Province, Peru
Where Can Chrysocolla Be Found?
Most chrysocolla is harvested in association with another mineral and depending on the locality of the formation the association and crystal form is likely to change. In Israel, chrysocolla that associates with other copper based minerals (malachite and turquoise) has received the moniker, Eilat Stone, in patronage to the ancient copper mines it has been extracted from. Mines in the Congo are responsible for extravagant crusts and botryoidal masses that often coincide with malachite and the two form around one another. Perhaps the most exciting of specimens come from copper mines in Arizona. These specimens are often associated with quartz stalactites, where druzy quartz forms over botryoidal spheres of chrysocolla.
How Is Chrysocolla Different From Malachite Or Azurite?
While all three minerals are copper based minerals with high carbonate content and very similar coloring, they do have some stark differences and a lot more in common than might be initially apparent. To begin, malachite and azurite are extremely closely related having only a differing copper ion in their chemical formula and over time azurite will pseudomorph to malachite. Additionally, all three are secondary minerals, meaning that they all form closer to the surface when meteoric waters percolate into the ore pockets. The primary difference between all three is their crystal habits. Azurite commonly forms monoclinic, tabular crystals. Malachite often forms monoclinic, crystal aggregates or crusts. Technically, chrysocolla doesn’t really form crystals aside from the botryoidal masses or crusts that it has taken the shape of the mineral it is a pseudomorph after, usually quartz or malachite.