Oval shattuckite cabochon hand-cut from rough material from Namibia. A deep blue—closer to indigo than turquoise—crossed by lighter teal veins that reveal the fibrous structure of the mineral. 22×13 mm in an elongated oval format. Stabilized with resin. Unique piece.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Shattuckite (copper silicate) |
| Dimensions |
22×13 mm (±0.5 mm due to hand-cutting) |
| Shape and Back |
Freeform elongated oval · flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
3.5 Mohs — we recommend a closed bezel setting |
| Origin |
Namibia (rough material acquired directly) |
| Treatment |
Stabilized (epoxy resin impregnation) |
| Type of piece |
Unique piece |
This specific piece
High-purity shattuckite tends towards this deep, dark blue: when the percentage of copper in the structure is high and impurities are minimal, the color saturates to an almost navy blue. The lighter turquoise veins run diagonally across the piece, adding movement without breaking the dominant chromatic reading. The lapidarist chose the best color area of the block and sized the cabochon so that this veining pattern is centered on the surface.
How Shattuckite's blue forms
Shattuckite (Cu₅(SiO₃)₄(OH)₂) is a copper phyllosilicate that crystallizes in the orthorhombic system. Its blue comes from the ligand field of Cu²⁺: the copper electrons selectively absorb red from the visible spectrum and reflect blue. The purer and more homogeneous the shattuckite, the more saturated and darker the color.
For which mounting works
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Pendant with 925 silver bezel setting — the elongated format is ideal for vertical pendants where the stone hangs centrally. The closed bezel protects the edges and frames the deep blue.
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Statement scene ring — positioned horizontally, the 22 mm provides enough presence for a central ring without being exaggerated.
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Wire wrap — an alternative for those who work with wire; the long oval facilitates wrapping along the long edges.
Shattuckite in lapidary tradition
Shattuckite was identified in 1915 at the Shattuck Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, but it was the Namibian deposits in the Otavi-Bergland strip that put it on the global lapidary map starting in the 1990s. In crystal tradition, it is associated with clarity of thought, serene communication, and the integration of mind and word.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice.
How to recognize genuine Shattuckite
Authentic shattuckite shows a microfibrous texture under magnification: the blue is formed by oriented microcrystals; it is not a flat color. The mirror polish amplifies the color without adding artificial shine. A cabochon with perfectly homogeneous blue and no veining could be dyed chrysocolla or glass.
Frequently asked questions
How does shattuckite differ from chrysocolla?
They are distinct minerals despite sharing a copper silicate base. Chrysocolla is amorphous and softer (2-4 Mohs); shattuckite is crystalline and has a deeper, more saturated blue. In Namibian materials, both can coexist in the same block.
Does stabilization alter the color?
No. The epoxy resin is transparent and does not add pigments. The deep blue is the natural color of Namibian shattuckite without color treatment.
How do I care for it?
Avoid organic solvents (acetone, alcohol) which degrade the resin. Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth. No ultrasonics. See jewelry care.
Are the dimensions exact?
The measurement (22×13 mm) may vary by ±0.5 mm due to hand-cutting. Freeform chosen for the best color area of the material.
See also: lapidary collection · other stone cabochons.
