Chrysocolla ps. after Malachite ps. after Azurite with Quartz

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.