3.2" Vibrant Blue Veszelyite Cluster on Hemimorphite - Congo

Veszelyite is a rare secondary copper and zinc mineral found in the oxidation zones of base metal deposits. Veszelyite crystals are typically emerald green, blue or a mixture of the two. They can be found as small, lustrous clusters peppered across other minerals or as crusts, but in rare cases they can also be found as dense crystal aggregations.

Veszelyite specimens from a recent (2019/2020) find in the Bouenza Department of the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) are a perfect example of this rare instance of dense aggregations of veszelyite. Within the hemimorphite zone of the Palabanda Quarry, irregularly dispersed formations of this rare mineral were unearthed. They occurred in small brecciated/weathered cavities where most of the veszelyite formed as crusts, while some spots revealed well formed crystals over hemimorphite. The area that contained these crystals was mined over five months, the final two of which appeared to indicate that the pocket was completely exhausted.