GEM SILICA CHRYSOCOLLA MALACHITE AZURITE - 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).
Chrysocolla forms in the oxidation zones of copper rich ore bodies. 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.
The actual name Chrysocolla derives from Greek "chrysos" - gold and "'kolla" - glue, referring to its use as a flux in soldering gold (Theophrastus.)
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 Azurite and play of light Malachite interspersed in the Silicate fortification.
Standard radius dome. Vitreous polish front and back. Occasional druzy vugs throughout are common.
This will be a drop dead gorgeous focal piece in your next metal smithing or wire wrap project, especially in gold. It is indeed quite the cool heirloom collectible to brag about as well!
Length – 28.4 mm
Width - 28.4 mm
Depth – 5.9 mm
Weight - 43.5 Carats
This cabochon was photographed indoors, dry, under full spectrum LEDs.
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