Polished point of an uncommon copper aggregate: chrysocolla and shattuckite in turquoise blue and green hues, topped by a zone of metallic gray chalcocite at the apex. Hand-cut and polished in our workshop. Unique piece measuring 12.3 × 6.5 × 6.9 mm.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Chrysocolla with shattuckite and chalcocite (copper minerals) |
| Dimensions |
12.3 × 6.5 × 6.9 mm |
| Shape |
Freeform point, polished faces |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
2.5–3.5 on Mohs scale — we recommend bezel setting |
| Color |
Turquoise blue and green, with metallic gray apex |
| Treatment |
Stabilized (resin impregnation) |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece |
About This Specific Piece
The most striking feature is the vertical contrast: the base brings together fields of intense turquoise blue and bottle green that intertwine like a map, with a very dark, almost black blue heart in the center. Towards the apex, the color gives way to chalcocite, a copper sulfide with a metallic lead-gray luster that reflects light like a foggy mirror.
It is an opaque piece: the goal is not transparency, but to read the mixture of copper minerals that coexist in the same fragment. The point was cut to show this color transition from bottom to top on a single front face.
Why it is stabilized
Chrysocolla is one of the softest minerals in the gem world (it can drop below 3 on the Mohs scale). In its raw state, it crumbles easily, so it is stabilized by impregnating the piece with colorless resin that penetrates the pores and consolidates the material. This allows it to be cut, polished, and worked without fracturing. We state this transparently: this piece is stabilized.
What it is suitable for
-
Wire wrap — its pendant size and defined point make it ideal for wire wrapping without the need for drilling.
-
Bezel setting (925 silver) — as it is a soft material, a closed bezel protects the edges; recommended, never mandatory.
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Collection of copper minerals — it brings together three copper species in a single piece, an educational specimen for display.
Chrysocolla in lapidary tradition
Chrysocolla takes its name from the Greek chrysos (gold) and kolla (glue): ancient goldsmiths used it as a flux for soldering gold. Pliny the Elder already described it in the 1st century. Its blue-green color has caused it to be confused and combined with turquoise and malachite throughout history.
In crystal tradition, chrysocolla is associated with serene communication and measured speech — the stone of those who speak from a place of calm.
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 this combination
Genuine chrysocolla is soft and has a characteristic blue-cyan color; shattuckite provides a deeper, fibrous blue, and chalcocite is instantly distinguishable by its metallic gray luster, which is atypical for a silicate. The coexistence of these three copper minerals in the same piece is a sign of a copper oxidation deposit, not a dyed material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it stabilized and not "untreated"?
Because chrysocolla is too soft to be worked in its raw state. Stabilization with colorless resin consolidates the material and is essential for cutting and polishing. We prefer to declare this clearly.
Is it suitable for daily wear rings?
Better for pendants, earrings, or occasional use pieces. With a hardness of 2.5–3.5, it is sensitive to knocks and abrasion; a closed bezel setting extends its life.
What are the three species that make it up?
Chrysocolla and shattuckite are copper silicates (the blues and greens) and chalcocite is a copper sulfide (the metallic gray area at the tip). All three are secondary copper minerals.
How should I care for it?
Clean it only with a dry or slightly damp cloth; never with ultrasound, heat, or chemical products. More at jewelry care.
More about these minerals: chrysocolla and shattuckite. See also: points and raw minerals.
