Quartz ps. after chrysocolla ps. after malachite ps. after azurite, in natural pocket

Item Description

This item is part of a special benefit auction for the Rice Museum of Rocks & Minerals (ricenorthwestmuseum.org). Items are either deaccessions from the museum's collection or were donated by generous supporters listed below.

Auction open April 1, 2021 through April 17, 2021.

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, April 19, for payment using PayPal or credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost, or please contact brandy@mineralauctions.com if you'd like to plan on picking up items at future shows or during a stop through Dallas.

Here we have a unique combination of lapidary and mineral with an almost egg-shaped piece of Chrysocolla featuring a gorgeous polished exterior with very prominent and lovely Chrysocolla crystals in the protected interior. The variegated exterior ranges from almost a teal blue to turquoise blue to medium green-gray to charcoal gray that are blended into a variety of textures ranging from angular to rounded. The now defunct Inspiration copper mine in Arizona produced gorgeous pieces of Chrysocolla over its mine life and sculptural pieces like this are very difficult to come by today. The chrysocolla is pseudomorphed after (replaced) a previous generation of azurite, and is mixed with silica (quartz) which gives it strength, luster, and stability. This combination of quartz and chrysocolla occurs from this location in lapidary quality, and is highly valued for carving and jewelry. This specimen is a pocket, preserved and showing how they form in small open spaces at this historic Western location. An old classic!