Detailed information
Dimensions
48 x 83 x 35
mm
Weight
83 g
Locality
Tenke-Fungurume area Kolwezi mining district Lualaba, DR Congo
Condition
No recorded repairs
Renowned for exceptional secondary copper secondary mineral specimens the DR Congo has produced some of the world's finest stalactitic Malachite in enormous museum quality displays but it has also led to discoveries of amazingly complex geochemical assemblages including this fascinating small cabinet-sized colourful bladed crystal aggregate from the Tenke-Fungurume area. At its core are interlocking dark forest-green thin, ragged-edged, bladed crystals which are Malachite, but pseudomorphs after Azurite. Many of these blades exceed 3 cm in length. Dotted within the crevices between these bladed crystals are deep green rounded clusters (to 1 cm across) of Primary Malachite crystals which would be somewhat lost upon the green Malachite pseudomorphs but for a liberal coating of bright baby-blue Chrysocolla which adds a stunning contrast and brings the specimen alive. This is a unique combination, but one which looks so artistic and eye-catching and is sure to be a classic long into the future. This piece benefits greatly from sitting naturally for display.