Characteristics of Chrysocolla:

Chemical Name: Copper hydro silicate

Formula: CuSiO3·2H2O

Colors: Blue, blue-green

Structure: Orthorhombic

Hardness: 2-4

Specific Gravity: 2.0-2.4

Refractive Index: 1.46-1.57

Lustre: Vitreous to earthy

Streak: Pale blue, tan, grey

Locations: UK, Israel, Mexico, Czech Republic, Australia, DR Congo, USA

What is Chrysocolla? 

The term Chrysocolla was first applied by the Greek philosopher Theophrastus in 315BCE to various materials used in soldering gold, derived from the Greek chrysos, meaning “gold” and kolla meaning “glue”. Chrysocolla forms as a decomposition product of other copper minerals, mainly in arid regions, and is often intergrown with harder mineral such as quartz, chalcedony, or opal, yielding a more resilient gemstone variety. It is usually cut en cabochon, and translucent, richly blue-green Chrysocolla is particularly prized.