{"product_id":"chrysocolla-ps-after-malachite-with-quartz-and-malachite-19","title":"CHRYSOCOLLA ps. after MALACHITE with QUARTZ and MALACHITE","description":"Colourful and dramatic, and with a remarkable geological story to tell. This stunning, cabinet-sized display specimen from a relatively recent discovery in the Tenke-Fungurume area, Kolwezi mining district, DR Congo is very different to the usual Malachite stalactites. The gorgeous soft baby-blue colour is derived from Chrysocolla, an amorphous copper silicate but which is coating, or epimorphing dark green bladed crystals of Malachite replacing, or pseudomorphing earlier Azurite. However, the Chrysocolla is also encapsulated in tiny colourless glassy Quartz crystals, protecting the softer mineral from damage and adding a bright glistening sparkle to the piece. It is interesting to explain the geochemical circumstances that have occurred to result in these replacements. So, an initial crystallization of large, thin bladed Azurite crystals was followed by a slight shift in the chemistry of the natural environment, resulting in the total alteration and replacement of the Azurite crystals by Malachite (another copper carbonate hydroxide, but with marginally less carbonate present). An influx of silica began the alteration, replacement and coating of the Malachite blades with the hydrated copper silicate hydroxide, Chrysocolla. Further influx of silica eventually resulted in the encapsulation of the earlier minerals with Quartz. This incredibly large display specimen of this fascinating and beautiful copper-bearing secondary assemblage is in exceptional condition, with many large blades rising up from it with such an alluring blue colour. A piece that will surely attract attention wherever it is displayed.","brand":"Crystal Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46792517451951,"sku":"CC36472","price":15000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/8516\/2671\/files\/CC36472.png?v=1782214081","url":"https:\/\/crystalclassics.com\/products\/chrysocolla-ps-after-malachite-with-quartz-and-malachite-19","provider":"Crystal Classics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}