Chrysocolla on Malachite

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This is a truly adorable button of Chrysocolla coated Malachite from the Star of the Congo Mine in the DRC. This mine has produced an incredible diversity of beautiful copper-bearing minerals and this thumbnail is in the top category of specimens from there. The button is blue-green with a satin luster, measures 1.8cm in diameter and is situated on just a dab of matrix that complements the button so well! The periphery of the matrix and a small opening into the piece on one side reveals a layer of green Malachite with a radial fibrous structure with the interior of the ball also composed of Malachite. The story here is that the Chrysocolla formed later in the history of the piece and coated the Malachite ball and whatever Malachite matrix was present. An absolutely gorgeous thumbnail with a great paragenesis!