Chrysocolla ps. after Malachite with Quartz and Malachite - image 1

Chrysocolla ps. after Malachite with Quartz and Malachite

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This miniature to large miniature specimen from the Tenke-Fungurume area in the Kolwezi mining district, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is a geochemical conundrum, and a colourful one at that. Comprising an attractive bed of freestanding pale blue bladed crystals with a sparkling glassy coating one might just be happy with their lovely appearance. However, there is always more to ask and in this case it is what are they and how did they form? Well, the glassy coating is a fine druse of colourless Quartz crystals coating, or encapsulating blades of Chrysocolla with an internal core of dark green Malachite. This however is just part of the story, because the Malachite has itself replaced, or pseudomorphed, bladed crystals of Azurite which are long since gone. The cross-section through these crystals on one edge of the specimen allows this paragenesis to be studied. Wonderfully complex and strikingly beautiful.