Chrysocolla C

Chrysocolla is a beautiful green, blue, or blue-green mineral. This piece is 4 x 2.5 x 1.5 inches. The chemical formula is hydrated copper silicate, (Cu,Al)₂H₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄•nH₂O. It gets it’s name from the Greek chrysos, meaning "gold", and kolla, "glue", in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold. It is secondary in occurance and comes from the oxidation zone of copper ores. Pure Chrysocolla is soft only a 2.5-3.5 on the mohs scale but when it becomes agatized it can be made into exquisite jewelry.