Rough Malachite with Chrysocolla
This large, rough malachite with chrysocolla is from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Minute crystals that sparkle beautifully can be seen as light reflects at just the right angle. This can be seen in our last photo.
During the Bronze Age, malachite was crushed and used as a green pigment.
In ancient Greece and Rome, it was used for decorative purposes but primarily for vases. Malachite is still widely used today as a carving material.
Both malachite and chrysocolla (particularly in their pure form) are soft and fragile. Therefore, stones like this must be handled carefuly, and preferably as little as possible.
