Polished Chrysocolla Stone with Malachite
This chunky chrysocolla stone has been highly polished, although that cannot be fully appreciated in our photos.
Chrysocolla and malachite are often associated with quartz, azurite, and cuprite, as well as other copper minerals. Pure chrysocolla is very soft, so must be handled carefully.
When combined with quartz, its hardness can improve, sometimes significantly.
References to a mineral called chrysocolla can be found in writings by the ancient Greek philosopher Theophrastus. However, historians believe the name did not refer solely to the mineral known today as chrysocolla. Spelt "chrysokolla", it is thought to have been used for several copper-related materials, including malachite.
He wrote that it could be found in large quantities in gold mines, and even more in copper mines. He also noted that chrysokolla occurs in "kyanos", a term used in ancient Greek for deep blue copper-bearing substances.
