Chrysocolla is one of three major copper bearing minerals, which makes it a valuable ore of copper. It is light green to deep blue, found in most copper mines and formed similarly to turquoise; that is, in the oxidized zones of copper deposits. Pure chrysocolla is soft and fragile and therefore not appropriate for use in jewelry. However, chrysocolla often is "agatized" in chalcedony quartz and it is the quartz that provides the stone with its polish and durability.  Gem Silica is the rarest and most beautiful of Chrysacolla

History & Mythology:

The history of chrysocolla coincides with the history of other green stones, for many of the legends originate in the Far East. Often it was called green turquoise and not considered a stone in its own right. Yet, when cited as a semiprecious gemstone of its own right it was favored as a stone for prosperity, luck, and business astuteness.

The power of chrysocolla, like a balance scale, can act to stimulate the mind and relax the emotions at the same time. It reacts upon your analytical and intuitive abilities. Together its energy influence alleviates emotional confusion while expanding your mind to new awareness and understanding. As a copper mineral gem, chrysocolla opens bottled emotions that can block the mind from thinking clearly. Chrysocolla is a good choice for a stone when you have difficulty expressing your feelings. If you work in the computer design industry, programming or analyzing, chrysocolla can help keep you from short-circuiting like one of your machines. For you designers and inventors, chrysocolla will help combine your creative ideas with new practical applications. Keep chrysocolla in your work space, for its balancing effect can improve the results of your work.

Mining Sources:

Found in copper mines in the southwestern U.S. and elsewhere, often mixed with turquoise, malachite, azurite, and other copper compounds. Pure chrysocolla is too soft for jewelry purposes, but it often occurs in a highly silicified, or agatized, form that makes magnificent robin's-egg blue inlays & cabochons. 

Specification:

• Chemical composition: CuSiOnH2O, Hydrated copper silicate
• Class: Silicates
• Color: Blue to Green
• Refractive Index: 1.58-1.64
• Moths2-4.
• Crystal Structure: Monoclinic
• Specific Gravity: 2.20

Care & Maintenance:

Because we use agatized chrysocolla, the inlay is very durable and resistant to most household chemicals. A mild jewelry cleaner will work quite well.

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Last modified: August 27, 2008