Chrysocolla
(hydrated copper silicate) is a mineral, (Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4·nH2O. It
is of secondary origin and forms in the oxidation zones of copper
ore bodies. Associated minerals are quartz, limonite, azurite, malachite,
cuprite, and other secondary copper minerals.
Chrysocolla
is an attractive blue-green colour and is minor ore of copper,
having a hardness of 2.5 to 3.5. It is also used as an ornamental
stone. It is typically found as glassy botryoidal or rounded masses
and crusts, or vein fillings. Because of its light color, it is
sometimes confused with turquoise. Commonly it occurs only as pourous
crusts unsuitable for gem use, but high quality, gem grade chrysocolla
can be translucent and is highly prized.
The
name comes from the Greek chrysos, "gold", and kolla, "glue",
in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold, and was
first used by Theophrastus in 315 BCE.
Notable
occurrences include Israel, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile, Cornwall
in England, and Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Pennsylvania in the
United States.