Chrysocolla is the alteration product of copper mineral and is a kind of hydrous copper silicate mineral.
The monoclinic system has very few crystals, which are usually amorphous colloids, and are produced in the form of stalactites, earth or dyes in quartz, often coexisting with malachite and chalcopyrite.
The color of Chrysocolla is mainly green and blue-green, and it can be brown and black when it contains many impurities. Transparent to opaque, glass luster, waxy luster and earthy luster. The Mohs hardness is 2~4. When there is a lot of mixed silica, the Mohs hardness can be as high as 6.
With high hardness and beautiful colour, a kind of quartz, chalcedony, or opal containing Chrysocolla is often cut and ground into plain gemstones.
Basic properties of Chrysocolla
[Chemical composition] The chemical formula is (Cu, AL) 2H2Si2O5 (OH) 4. n (H2O)
[Crystal system and morphology] The crystal system is a rhombic crystal system. Chrysocolla is an aphanitic or colloidal aggregate, mainly in the form of shell, grape, fibre or radial aggregates.
[Physical property] The color of Chrysocolla is mainly blue, blue-green to green, and the streak is light green; Earthy luster or glassy luster, translucent to opaque; The Mohs hardness is 2.5 ～ 3.5, and the density is 1.9 ～ 2.4g/cm.
[Origin and Origin] Chrysocolla is a secondary copper-bearing mineral mainly produced in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing deposits and often coexists with malachite, azurite, hematite and natural copper.
In addition, Chrysocolla is often accompanied by chalcedony, which is an essential inclusion of some blue or green chalcedony.
[origin] Taiwan(China), the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, etc.
[Application] Chrysocolla can be used to refine copper, but it is not an essential raw material for copper ore. A few Chrysocolla are used for collection or appreciation.
Comparison between malachite and Chrysocolla
[Name] Malachite, Chrysocolla.
[Color] Malachite is usually bright blue-green to green, with mottled stripes. Some are bright green like green peacock feathers, and some are dark green or yellowish green. Chrysocolla is light blue-green.
[Chemical composition] Malachite refers to a carbonate mineral with chemical composition of Cu2 [CO3] (OH) 2, containing 57.4% Cu. Malachite powder is used to make pigment, called “green stone”, and its powder can also be used for traditional Chinese medicine, called “green”.
It can be used as copper ore when piled up in large quantities. Chrysocolla refers to a silicate mineral with the chemical composition of Cu4H4 [S4iO10] H) 8. nH2O. They sometimes contain trace amounts of mechanical admixture such as Ca and Fe.
[Crystal morphology] Malachite is a monoclinic system, and Chrysocolla is an orthorhombic system. The crystals are needle, column or fiber but are rarely seen. They usually have cryptocrystalline aggregates, which are kidney-shaped, grape-shaped, radial-shaped, bell-shaped, shell-shaped, massive, earthy, etc.
Radial fibrous, striped and concentric layered structures can be seen on magnification.
[Physical Properties] Malachite is silk luster to glass luster, and the aggregate is translucent – opaque, stripes light green. It is brittle, with a Mohs hardness of 3.5~4.0. The density is 3.95~4.0g/cm, and the refractive index is 1.655~1.909. Its powder and hydrochloric acid meet and froth.
The Chrysocolla is a waxy earthy luster, with light green streaks, Mohs hardness of 2~4, density of 2.0~2.3g/cm, uneven fracture, and its powder will not bubble when encountering hydrochloric acid. Chrysocolla has two groups of complete cleavage, while Chrysocolla has no cleavage.
[Origin] They are mainly produced in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing sulfide deposits, often associated with chalcopyrite, and are secondary minerals formed after the oxidation of primary copper-bearing minerals. Their genesis belongs to weathering crust type.
Famous malachite-producing areas in the world include Zambia, Australia, Russia, Congo (DRC), Namibia, the United States, etc.; China is mainly produced in Yangchun, Guangdong, Daye, Hubei, Chizhou, Anhui, Tibet, Jiangxi and other places.
The world-famous origin of Chrysocolla is Nevada and Arizona in the United States, Congo (Kinshasa), Chile, Russia and other places. Sky blue, pink green Chrysocolla is found in Dongchuan and Xinjiang of Yunnan Province.
[Identification] The human understanding and development of malachite have a long history. For example, Egypt has been mining malachite, Chalcopyrite and Chrysocolla in the copper mines of Sinai Peninsula as early as 4000 BC.
They believe that malachite is the best amulet for children. If you hang a piece of malachite on the cradle or wear a malachite pendant, it can dispel all evils and make children sleep soundly. Although this statement has a great myth, it can explain the ancient people’s love and pursuit of malachite.
Malachite is usually appreciated by its color, shape, size and texture. Bright and pure green, green and dark blue set off each other, with clear texture, or show the illusion of other minerals, which are deeply loved by people.
Natural malachite and Chrysocolla with strong glossiness, beautiful patterns, dense texture and unique shape have high artistic, ornamental and collection values.
Generally speaking, the stronger and larger the natural block size is, the higher the price is.
Large Malachite with beautiful color, fine, tough, smooth and crack-free, is the carving material of handicrafts; It can also be processed into curved gemstone jewellery (such as rings, bead string, pendants, etc.).
Chrysocolla Energy form
If people are Under a lot of pressure, they may feel useless. The Chrysocolla belongs to the monoclinic system and has very gentle and warm energy.
It has an opacity and shows no interest in life. The translucent texture creates a kind of energy that can heal humans. Chrysocolla can bring energy into these injured hearts and fill them with those who are empty because of the loss of hope, regardless of men and women that suffer in life.
The appearance of Chrysocolla is pure, with extremely high therapeutic energy, and it is a symbol of completeness and tranquility.
It is said that putting it where it is out of balance will help restore balance. If one piece is placed at the eyebrow center chakra and one piece at the solar plexus, it can balance the mind, body and emotion.
Differences between Chrysocolla and turquoise
Chrysocolla is also one of the minerals very similar to turquoise in appearance but can be distinguished from the following.
1. Color
chrysocolla has bright green and blue-green, and it is sub-transparent. Its color is brighter than turquoise and is not as soft as turquoise.
2. Refractive index
The refractive index of Chrysocolla is very low, 1.461~1.570, and the spot measurement is generally about 1.50. The color of Chrysocolla is bright, and the overall feeling is similar to high-quality turquoise, while the refractive index of high-quality turquoise will not be lower than that of refractive oil. Although it is not recommended to measure the Refractive index, there is no big problem for high-quality turquoise to contact with refractive oil for a short time.
3. Density and hardness
The density and hardness of Chrysocolla are relatively low, with a density of 2.0~2.4gcm and hardness of 2~4, which are lower than high-quality turquoise.
4. Large instrument testing
Infrared and Raman spectra can effectively distinguish Chrysocolla from turquoise.
Chrysocolla can impregnate quartzite or opal. Gemstones made of this material have similar characteristics to the host minerals. In addition, an Eilat stone is produced in Aqaba Bay of the Red Sea, a mixture of Chrysocolla, turquoise and other copper ores.
This material has spotty blue and green, and its relative density is slightly larger than that of Chrysocolla, 2.8~3.2g/cm. Such a mixed material containing silica malachite sometimes looks like turquoise, but its mottled color is quite different from that of turquoise.
How to use Chrysocolla
For those who are often oppressed and unable to express their feelings and show themselves, Chrysocolla can bring courage and strength and then truly express themselves.
Chrysocolla is also considered to be an ore that brings compassion and energy. For those who have been seriously hurt by intimacy or have been subjected to any form of violence, Chrysocolla can bring energy to soothe the soul, making our hearts feel warm and loved.
For ordinary users, they can wear Chrysocolla to obtain energy support. It can properly provide spiritual support for those who have just experienced emotional trauma, such as being lovelorn or betrayed.
Chrysocolla can also lead out the thoughts hidden in your heart, giving you a chance to find an outlet for venting;
For those who have never been able to say no, it can provide an inner strength that allows you to reject all things you don’t like.
When to use Chrysocolla
- When you want to improve your confidence
- When you want to get rid of the victim’s complex
- Get out of low spirits
- Hope to be successful
- Soothe the empty soul
How to clean Chrysocolla
Purification mode
√: Fragrance, smoke, crystal hole, sound
×: Sea salt, flowing water and sunlight can damage crystals
Conclusion:
Chrysocolla grows in the copper deposit and coexists with azurite and Malachite. It has a delicate texture. Many people will confuse it with turquoise, but they are entirely different minerals. It is one of the most popular gemstones in the United States and South America.