Chrysocolla : Blue-Green Mineral

The name Chrysocolla was first used by Theophrastus in 315 B.C. and comes from the Greek chrysos, meaning “gold,” and kolla, meaning “glue,” in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold. Found in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, often encrusting or replacing earlier secondary minerals. It is typically found as glassy botryoidal or rounded masses or bubbly crusts, and as jackstraw mats of tiny acicular crystals or tufts of fibrous crystals.

Wikipedia says, Chrysocolla has an attractive blue-green colour and is a 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.

Appearance & Locations

Chrysocolla is a very soft stone that comes in a beautiful bluish-green color. Many people call Chrysocolla the “Peace Crystal” because of it’s calming and soothing powers. Chrysocolla is found in quite a few places including the Czech Republic, Israel, and the United States. It is usually found alongside items like quartz and limonite. Notable occurrences include Israel, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile, Cornwall in England, and Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Pennsylvania in the United States.

Chrysocolla in Jewelry

Chrysocolla is very soft, which makes it difficult on its own to work with. This beautiful stone can be found, however, mixed with quartz or in a druzy style that is very attractive and easier to work with.