Chrysocolla after Azurite (possibly Barite) with Malachite coated with druzy Quartz, Tenke-Fungurume area, Kolwezi mining dist, Lualaba, DR Congo
13 cm wide x 11 cm tall
This specimen is from a recent discovery. This piece began life as an azurite (or possibly a barite) and at some point in its paragenesis, the chemistry in the pocket changed and it was pseudomorphed by malachite. After this, it was coated with a thin layer of sky blue chrysocolla. The last event in its lengthy creation, it was covered with bright and clear drusy quartz. The quartz gives the specimen a "thousand points of light", as if it were sugar coated. Now that we have seen more of these from this locality assessing which examples are among the very best. The aesthetic form, color and sparkling luster place it at the very peak of this stunning discovery.
