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4.5" Stunning Druzy Quartz on Chrysocolla and Malachite - DR Congo
This vibrant specimen features a rock cavity filled with chrysocolla and malachite that's completely encrusted in a layer of druzy quartz. The sparkling quartz crystals are translucent, allowing for the underlying light blue chrysocolla to be seen. This material was collected from the Tenke-Fungurume area of Lualaba, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The blade-like formations are chrysocolla covering bladed crystals that represent pseudomorphs of malachite after azurite. Comes with an acrylic display stand.
The blade-like formations are chrysocolla covering bladed crystals that represent pseudomorphs of malachite after azurite. Comes with an acrylic display stand.
Chrysocolla is a basic copper silicate that typically forms as a pseudomorph following other copper based minerals. The chemical formula is considered undetermined due to the varying substitutions of elements and water content in its chemical structure. However, there is a form of chrysocolla with an identifiable chemical formula of Cu2H2Si2O5(OH)4 that can be found in microcrystals.
Regularly, chrysocolla will form as botryoidal lumps and spheres, rarely forming visible crystals. It can also form in both solid and fibrous veins, over fibrous minerals, and in crusts. Known for its sharp and vibrant coloring, chrysocolla can display a wide variety of colors such as bluish-green, bright green, light blue, to even sometimes multicolored specimens depending on the atmosphere present during formation.
Regularly, chrysocolla will form as botryoidal lumps and spheres, rarely forming visible crystals. It can also form in both solid and fibrous veins, over fibrous minerals, and in crusts. Known for its sharp and vibrant coloring, chrysocolla can display a wide variety of colors such as bluish-green, bright green, light blue, to even sometimes multicolored specimens depending on the atmosphere present during formation.
About Malachite
Malachite is an intense green copper-based mineral that can be found in a wide variety of forms. Malachite can grow in botryoidal masses, stalactitic formations, and reniform formations, typically as a tight cluster of fanning fibrous needles that make up a seemingly solid mass. As layers continue to stack during formation, banded patterns can sometimes begin to take shape, explaining the rings in all shades of green seen on most polished malachite specimens.
Malachite results from the weathering of other copper ores, and is very often found associated with other copper-based minerals such as azurite and chrysocolla. It can be found in copper deposits around the world, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary source for polished malachite and mineral specimens.
Malachite has been prized since ancient times, first as a utilitarian copper ore, then as an ornamental stone. Due to its value as a decorative stone, it is rarely mined as a copper ore anymore.
Malachite is an intense green copper-based mineral that can be found in a wide variety of forms. Malachite can grow in botryoidal masses, stalactitic formations, and reniform formations, typically as a tight cluster of fanning fibrous needles that make up a seemingly solid mass. As layers continue to stack during formation, banded patterns can sometimes begin to take shape, explaining the rings in all shades of green seen on most polished malachite specimens.
Malachite results from the weathering of other copper ores, and is very often found associated with other copper-based minerals such as azurite and chrysocolla. It can be found in copper deposits around the world, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary source for polished malachite and mineral specimens.
Malachite has been prized since ancient times, first as a utilitarian copper ore, then as an ornamental stone. Due to its value as a decorative stone, it is rarely mined as a copper ore anymore.
$549
SPECIES
Quartz, Chrysocolla & Malachite
LOCATION
Tenke-Fungurume Area, Lualaba, Democratic Republic of the Congo
SIZE
4.5 x 3.3"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#302251
