GEM SILICA CHRYSOCOLLA MALACHITE - Morenci Mine, Greenlee County, Arizona
"Chrysocolla" is a term used since antiquity (315 BCE). This copper hydrated silicate bearing material (Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4·nH2O) exhibits an attractive plethora of blue-aqua-green which provides a unique color to the mineral world. By some in the mineral community, Chrysocolla is perhaps more appropriately a "mineraloid" rather than a true mineral - (an amorphous meaning that it does not have a coherent crystalline structure.) Higher temperatures however demonstrate a distorted crystal structure that appears to be composed of Si4 O10 sheets (referring to RAMAN and other spectrographic studies). The actual name Chrysocolla derives from Greek "chrysos" - gold and "'kolla" - glue, referring to its use as a flux in soldering gold (Theophrastus.)
Chrysocolla forms in the oxidation zones of copper rich ore bodies.
Chrysocolla is often found in a matrix of quartz, in which case the optical and physical properties may be closer to those of quartz. This particular specimen undercuts slightly but remains sturdy in terms of Moh's hardness and of course contains amorphous Silica and H2O. But, what really stands out on this particular cab are the dreamy brecciated blue/green floating plethora of Chrysocolla and Malachite interspersed in the Silicate fortification. This splendid example comes from the Morenci Mine, Arizona, one of the largest copper reserves in the United States and was collected many decades ago.
Standard radius dome. Vitreous polish front and back.
This will be a drop dead gorgeous focal piece in your next metalsmithing or wire wrap project. It is indeed quite the cool heirloom collectible to brag about as well!
Length – 47.1 mm
Width - 28.44 mm
Depth – 7.6 mm
Weight - 65 Carats
This cabochon was photographed indoors, dry, under full spectrum LED.
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