Chrysocolla

The gemstone Chrysocolla is often confused with Turquoise, and is sometimes used as an alternative for it.  It is a copper bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur, mainly found in copper mines in dry areas, such as in the Southwest areas of the United States, Chili, Zaire, Australia, France and England.

Chrysocolla is sometimes colored pure blue, sometimes green, and sometimes a nice mixture of both blue and green. Often times in a mottled pattern. When Chrysocolla is blue and translucent it is called Gem Silica, and is priced per carat.

Pure Chrysocolla is too soft for jewelry purposes, but it is often found in quartz deposits which makes it hard enough to polish for cabochons. It is often found mixed with Malachite, Turquoise and Azurite.

If you like this material you may also like shattuckite or sonora sunrise.