Chrysocolla

About Chrysocolla

Often found mixed with malachite, turquoise, and azurite. Its blue-green color is caused by copper. The name comes from Greek chrysos (gold) and kolla (glue) - it was used to solder gold by ancient Greeks. It is soft and rarely cut as a gemstone, more commonly used as decorative material. The finest specimens come from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is sometimes confused with turquoise. It forms in the oxidation zones of copper deposits. Peruvian chrysocolla can be exceptionally beautiful with vivid blue-green colors. It has been used in jewelry and ornamental objects for thousands of years. It often occurs as botryoidal (grape-like) masses.