Natural Blue Drusy Chrysocolla Dolomite & Malachite Specimens x 6 From Likasi, Congo

Description PRODUCT INFORMATION General Description A stunning mix of chrysocolla and malachite with some blue drusy coating to add depth of character. This is a very nice pair of specimens which would be ideal for both the collectors both young and old. Not many come up this bold and this beautiful! Chrysocolla has a cyan (blue-green) colour and is a minor ore of Copper. The material has a wide range of hardness between 2.5 to 7.0. It is of secondary origin and forms in the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. Associated minerals are Quartz, Limonite, Azurite, Malachite, Cuprite and other secondary copper minerals. It is typically found as botryoidal or rounded masses and crusts, or vein fillings. Congo produces the most frequently available materials sold at Toprock but the material is also known from Namibia from time to time. Malachite is the more frequently associated mineral to the Chrysocolla out of Congo. Natural specimens are not as commonly available as polished items, but the supply is highly variable. Malachite is a green Copper Carbonate Hydroxide mineral. It was one of the first ores used to produce Copper metal. Our specimens are sourced from the Congo which extensively mines the material for its copper content, thus getting specimen grade material is quite difficult. Pliny the Elder, 79 CE used the ancient term Molochitus but by 1661 the revised spelling was widely adopted as Malachite. Malachite has a widely variable habit ranging from botryoidal, silky, and stalactite like forms. The weight to size ratio of specimens can also have a wide range of variation depending on the density of the material. Highly dense banded or flower pattern material is considered the best for cutting material. Whilst, rich colour, chatoyancy and habit is considered important for specimens. Botryoidal material is by far the most commonly available, whilst silky / fibrous is fairly difficult to obtain, and last of all Stalactite specimens are the most rare, desirable and collectible. Price is grade dependant. Item/s are as shown. Product DataLocality = Likasi, Congo Grade = Good to A Grade Size = 67 – 101 mm | 2.6 – 4 inch Net Weight = 1.5 Kg | 3.4 Lbs Product Type = Small Batch