Detailed information
Species
Pseudomalachite
Dimensions
95 x 155 x 130
mm
Weight
618 g
Locality
M'sesa Mine Kambove District Haut-Katanga, DR Congo
Condition
No recorded repairs
M'sesa mine in Kambove District in what used to be termed the Katanga Copper Crescent in DR Congo is one of the world's most famous localities for copper phosphate species including Pseudomalachite and Libethenite, most of which were mined in opencuts during the 1950s and 1960s. The mine was abandoned in the 1970s and the remaining dumps have been reprocessed leaving no opportunity for new discoveries. The classic Pseudomalachite specimens formed large botryoidal aggregates, sometimes overgrowing Malachite, showing a geochemical transition from carbonate to phosphate. This specimen is really unusual and quite sculptural, displaying a somewhat pitted and hollowed out stalactitic/botryoidal form of Pseudomalachite, possibly with an internal layer of Malachite. At large cabinet size this specimen not only has a wonderful artistic form, but presence too. The more one studies it the more it comes alive, with almost organic forms and textures. A mesmerizing piece, and a rare species too.
