Hand-carved teardrop cabochon from Namibian rough: turquoise blue shattuckite with a black tenorite matrix occupying the central field of the stone. The contrast between the brilliant teal and the dark areas is not ornamental—it is the mineral signature of two distinct copper phases growing in the same space. 20×18 mm. Resin stabilized. One of a kind piece.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Shattuckite with Tenorite (copper silicate + copper oxide) |
| Dimensions |
20×18 mm (±0.5 mm as it is hand-carved) |
| Shape and Back |
Freeform teardrop · flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
3.5 Mohs — we recommend closed bezel setting |
| Origin |
Namibia (rough material acquired directly) |
| Treatment |
Stabilized (epoxy resin impregnation) |
| Type of Piece |
One of a kind |
This particular piece
What makes this cabochon unique is the exact proportion of tenorite: the black areas are not minor inclusions but large patches that divide the surface into teal fields separated by a dark map. Light behaves differently in each area: shattuckite reflects it specularly while tenorite absorbs it. The result is a piece with a complex reading—striking from afar, geologically dense up close. Depending on how it is oriented in the setting, the black can be at the tip or the base of the teardrop: the decision is up to the jeweler.
What is Tenorite
Tenorite (CuO) is a black copper oxide that crystallizes in the monoclinic system. It forms in oxidation zones of the same copper deposits where shattuckite appears. Its name honors the Italian botanist Michele Tenore. In Namibia, the coexistence of both in the same block produces that characteristic bicolor pattern that the region's lapidaries learned to leverage.
What mounting works for it
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Statement ring in 925 silver — the scale and bicolor pattern make this cabochon the center stone of a ring with presence. The closed bezel protects the edges and frames the black-turquoise contrast.
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Pendant with open setting — allows the contrast to be read from the front without the metal covering the most interesting dark areas.
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Wire wrap — for those who work with wire; prioritize the teal and leave the tenorite areas as a visual focus.
Shattuckite in lapidary tradition
Shattuckite was described in 1915 at the Shattuck mine in Bisbee, Arizona. The Namibian deposits in the Otavi-Bergland belt made it a first-class lapidary material, producing some of the richest combinations of copper silicates and oxides. In crystal tradition, shattuckite is associated with honest communication and clarity of thought; tenorite, with grounding and transformation.
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 structured blue in microfibers under magnification—not a flat color. In combination with tenorite, the black areas are opaque and nuanced, distinct from the homogeneous black of an artificial dye. The fibrous texture of shattuckite is the most accessible sign of authenticity without specialized equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tenorite and shattuckite the same mineral?
No. They are two distinct copper phases: shattuckite (Cu₅(SiO₃)₄(OH)₂, blue silicate) and tenorite (CuO, black oxide). They grow together in copper deposits through supergene oxidation processes.
Is the black dyed?
No. The black is native tenorite. The only treatment is resin stabilization to consolidate the structure, without adding or altering color.
How to care for it?
Avoid organic solvents (acetone, alcohol) that attack the resin. Clean with a soft, damp cloth. No ultrasonics. See jewelry care.
Are the dimensions exact?
The measurement (20×18 mm) may vary by ±0.5 mm as it is hand-carved. Freeform chosen to take advantage of the best distribution of the bicolor pattern.
See also: lapidary collection · cabochons of other stones.
