Chrysocolla ps. after Malachite ps. after Azurite with Quartz

This spear-shaped small miniature features an unusual double pseudomorph of intense sky-blue Chrysocolla replacing Malachite after Azurite and coated in Quartz, from the magnificent recent find in the Tenke-Fungurume area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Central Africa.  At least four former tabular Azurite crystals now replaced by Chrysocolla and measuring up to 5.1 cm long form a diagonally set, parallel aligned cluster whose longest crystal gradually tapers to a spear-like point.  The Chrysocolla is a stunning sky-blue and is entirely encrusted with sparkling micro-Quartz crystals with a bright glassy lustre.  Across the base can be seen a narrow remnant core of deep bottle-green Malachite.  The Tenke-Fungurume area delineates a 30 km copper-cobalt mineralised zone between Tenke hill in the NW and Fungurume hill in the SE of the Kolwezi mining district.  The region holds large ore reserves and to date a suite of 31 minerals have been recorded, including some exceedingly rare copper species.  This striking and dramatic specimen is mounted on a square colourless acrylic base.