MALACHITE on Cobaltoan DOLOMITE

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

This dramatic large miniature specimen presents a contrast from mottled beige and pink Dolomite and Cobaltoan Dolomite to deep green silky acicular sprays of Malachite. The Malachite is very finely crystallized with a velvety appearance. Two main rhombic Dolomite crystals reaching just over 2 cm across are joined as the 'matrix'. These crystals are zoned from beige coloured Dolomite to vibrant pink Cobaltoan Dolomite. Upon these several bladed aggregates (the largest to 3 cm across) of green velvety Malachite protrude, along with a smaller Calcite crystal. The Malachite aggregates consistently show a bladed overall form suggesting that it is pseudomorphous after Azurite crystals. It is from one of the smaller deposits within the Katanga Copperbelt within the Kambove Territory in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tantara mine near Shinkolobwe is about 20 miles west of the town of Likasi.