Paratacamite (rare)

Item Description

Paratacamite is a rare copper zinc hydroxy halide. Crystals are typically microscopic, but a few years ago (circa 2006-2007) at the Lily Mine in Peru, there was a discovery of some of the largest and finest quality examples of the species known. This miniature specimen hosts several fine quality, very sharp, highly lustrous, intense emerald green colored crystals of Paratacamite measuring up to about 3 mm sitting on an almost organic looking matrix coated with drusy sparkling Quartz. The light blue-green hue under the Quartz is caused by a minor amount of Chrysocolla. We have photographed the piece with a Canon MP-E 65 mm macro lens to better illustrate the quality. A wonderful, good quality rarity of this beautiful material.