Chrysocolla ps. after Malachite ps. after Azurite

Bladed and stalagmitic habits of Chrysocolla pseudomorphing after Malachite, itself pseudomorphing after Azurite, form an architectural specimen from the Tenke-Fungurume area of the Kolwezi mining district in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  This locality is about as far into central Africa as one can travel.  A 2 x 2 cm tabular blade of Chrysocolla at one end, with its termination missing, reveals remnant traces of Malachite within the core of the pseudomorph.  The slightly turquoise, vivid sky-blue Chrysocolla is totally covered with micro-colourless and transparent crystals of Quartz, giving the specimen a sparling glassy lustre.  A flat, 3.5 x 2 cm area of micro- Quartz crystals covering darker green Malachite adds a large patch of pale duck-egg blue to the aesthetic.  A fascinating pseudomorph from the DRC.