Gem Profile- Chrysocolla

by Judy Ellis

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla, also called gem silica is found in large deposits and is fairly common; yet gem-quality chrysocolla is very hard to come by. Why? Because unlike the hardy agates and quartzes boasting a 7 on Mohs' scale, chrysocolla only ranks around 2-3 (4 is optimistic) making it just as soft as copper metal. (In fact, chrysocolla's soft blue color comes from copper, just like turquoise and malachite, which are stones that are often found in the same location as chrysocolla). This low score on Mohs' Scale makes pure chrysocolla practically too soft to make into cabochons! This makes it one of the softest silicas among its relatives quartz, chalcedony, agate, and jasper.

Nature provides a hardier form of this mineral: "agatized" chrysocolla, or chrysocolla quartz. As expected from an agate, this variety features patterns such as swirls or bands.

The added quartz or agate gives the chrysocolla enough hardness to be shaped and polished into cabochons.

Unlike its quartz relatives, chrysocolla is not typically used outside the jewelry world; it serves primarily as a decorative semi-precious stone.

Gina Smith's young friend cabbed this chrysocolla stone her first cabochon! Gina wrapped it in sterling silver wire to show her friend how beautiful her cabochons could become.

The name chrysocolla is Greek for "gold glue." This is because the mineral resembles the material the Greeks used for soldering gold.

Pure chrysocolla is light blue, blue-green, or light green. It can also feature brown or black sections, and inclusions of malachite, sagenite, and other minerals.

The first documented mention of chrysocolla was in 315 B.C. by Theophrastus. He was a Greek philosopher, the successor to Aristotle's school, and studied under Plato.

In the ancient world, it was mined in Cyprus, Armenia, Macedonia, and Spain.

Chrysocolla can have a glass-like appearance. It can be botryoidal (bubbly or resembling a bunch of grapes) or found in a druzy composition with exposed raw crystals.

It has been suggested that chrysocolla is a natural mixture of spertiniite and chalcedony.

Jane Elizabeth Duke wrapped this chrysocolla cabochon into a pendant with sterling silver wire.

In modern times, chrysocolla is extracted all over the world.

Some current mining sites include Mexico and the Southwestern US, Chile, England, Poland, Russia, Italy, and Israel. It is also sourced from Zaire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Western Australia and Queensland, Australia.

In Eilat, Israel, there used to be a large mine that produced a mixture of copper-influenced stones. These included turquoise, malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla.

These stones were collectively called "Eilat Stone." The Eilat Stone is the national stone of Israel, and it is also referred to as the King Solomon stone.

Donna Wallace created these chrysocolla earrings from chysocolla cabochons (from Wirejewelry) and her Grade 1 Titanium Post earrings and clutches (safe for nickel-sensitive ears!)

Metaphysically speaking, chrysocolla is reputed to stimulate creativity, aid in communication, patience, and intuition; it is seen as a gentle and soothing stone.

Resources & Recommended Reading

Mindat: Eilat Stone
Wikipedia: Chrysocolla
Mindat: Chrysocolla
Theophrastus on Wikipedia
Archaeominerology by George Robert Rapp

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