Detailed information
Species
Chrysocolla, Malachite, Quartz
Dimensions
37 x 38 x 26
mm
Weight
16 g
Locality
Tenke-Fungurume area Kolwezi mining district Lualaba, DR Congo
Condition
No recorded repairs
Not only is this miniature flower-like specimen from Tenke-Fungurume area in the Kolwezi mining district, DR Congo gorgeous in appearance but it has a complex geological background too. Its glistening surface is Quartz, but its alluring turquoise-blue colour comes from Chrysocolla underneath. However, its fan-like, bladed 'petals' are the preserved shape of long-gone Azurite crystals, converted firstly to Malachite, then Chrysocolla, and then encapsulated in colourless, glassy drusy Quartz through which the underlying colour can be seen. Finally, dotted across its surface are tiny balls of dark green Malachite.