CHRYSOCOLLA ps. after MALACHITE ps. after AZURITE with QUARTZ

This museum-grade double pseudomorph of vivid sky-blue Chrysocolla replacing Malachite after Azurite and coated in Quartz is spectacular for its large and perfect curved tapering crystals and a cross-sectional glimpse into the internal structure and paragenesis of the replacement process. This specimen is from a magnificent recent find in the Tenke-Fungurume area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. From one direction the Chrysocolla is a stunning sky-blue, so vivid and intense it verges on turquoise. This colour is intensified by a pervasive coating of sparkling micro-Quartz crystals with a bright glassy lustre. The opposite side of the specimen has been coated in parts with a slightly coloured Quartz, so dulling the appearance of the underlaying Chrysocolla. The tabular Chrysocolla crystals taper towards their Gothic window-like terminations with the central crystal attaining 5 cm. At least eight individual crystals can be identified amongst this group. Adding great interest are remnant cores of mid and deep leaf-green Malachite occurring as both earthy slivers and micro-crystals. At one side where several crystals have their sides missing, this reveals internal plates of Malachite to about 2.6 cm tall. The Tenke-Fungurume area delineates a 30 km copper-cobalt mineralised zone between Tenke hill in the NW and Fungurume hill in the SE of the Kolwezi mining district. The region holds large ore reserves and to date a suite of 31 minerals have been recorded, including some exceedingly rare copper species. This is a world-class specimen of amazing colour and habit and will grace the best of collections.

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Crystal Classics

Tucson, Arizona, USA