Pseudomorphs
Chrysocolla ps. after Malachite ps. after Azurite with Quartz
$1,750.00 €1,716 £1,460.00 approx. This specimen is priced in US dollars, all other prices are approximate.
ID:
CC20870
This fine sculptural pseudomorph of vivid sky-blue Chrysocolla replacing Malachite after Azurite and coated in Quartz is spectacular for its large and curved and tapering crystals and a cross-sectional glimpse into the internal structure and paragenesis of the replacement process. This specimen is from a magnificent recent find in the Tenke-Fungurume area of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Central Africa. From one direction the Chrysocolla is a stunning sky-blue, so vivid and intense it verges on turquoise. This colour is intensified by a pervasive coating of sparkling micro-Quartz crystals with a bright glassy lustre. The opposite side of the specimen has been partly coated with slightly coloured Quartz, hence modifying the appearance of the underlaying Chrysocolla to a vivid duck egg-blue. Micro-crystals of dark emerald-green Malachite are scattered beneath the Quartz coating and form an 8 mm diameter rosette on one face. The tabular Chrysocolla crystals have rounded terminations with three crystals exceeding 3 cm tall. At least five individual crystals can be identified amongst this group. Adding great interest are remnant cores of mid and deep leaf-green Malachite occurring as both earthy and micro-crystals. At one side where several crystals have their sides missing, revealing internal plates of Malachite to about 2.3 cm tall. 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. A beautiful and fascinating specimen of stunning colour and habit from the DR of Congo. This specimen comes mounted on a small square, colourless acrylic base.