Chrysocolla after Azurite/Malachite
stock #15.1-492
Lupoto mine, Lubumbashi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
10.8 x 6.7 x 6.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
From a very important find made almost a decade ago, a fine pseudomorph or epimorph of blue-green Chrysocolla in the shape of free standing Azurites. The Azurites were long ago altered to Malachite and most of the Malachite has been dissolved away though a few remnants remain. Nearly all of these forms are now fully hollow, forming a cast after the former crystals. There have been other finds of Chrysocolla after Barite and other minerals from this area but the Azurite forms are perhaps the most impressive. In very fine condition, unlike most of the find, on this piece the crystals are intact, complete and up to 2.5 CM free standing.
Plancheite with Heterogenite crystals
stock #8.AE-635
Mashaba West Mine, Kolwezi Mining District
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
5.5 x 3.4 x 3.3 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $230
An open cavity filled with sharp needle-like blue Plancheite crystals and small black spherical Heterogenite which also is crystalized in some spots. An excellent example of the specie and with attractive powder blue color in fine condition. This specimen is illustrated in Mindat as well.
Malachite crystals on Chrysocolla
stock #7.AE-262
Kolwezi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
11 x 8.4 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $790
Spring 23
Matrix of rich light green veined Chrysocolla contrasts with a dense covering of darker primary Malachite crystals. An older Kolwezi specimen, this is sizable, undamaged, lustrous and displays very well. Although the Malachite appears dark under most lighting, with strong illumination these are seen as gemmy, transparent bright green crystals. The Copper Crescent zone of the Congo is an amazing and productive area. Every few years some new habits and styles are found, this piece from one era of production is a style we do not see anymore. In my opinion, these fine quality Copper secondaries represent one of the best current values of price to quality in the modern mineral market. Carefully selected, this example is really impressive in person.
Chrysocolla ps Azurite/ Malachite
stock #15.1-489
Lupoto mine, Lubumbashi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
8.5 x 7.6 x 4.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $480
Post Tucson 2022
A fine example of this remarkable pseudomorph. On this piece the original crystals of Azurite were replaced by Malachite which is a fairly common alteration, it preserves perfectly the shape of the Azurite crystals. The Malachite is then replaced by or overgrown with Chrysocolla which replaces the green Malachite with a bright blue color. On this specimen a little of the green Malachite can still be seen in the center of some smaller blades, but overall the entire piece is a bright blue. In fine condition overall, all of the large blades on the display side are intact and undamaged, only the backside has a few small broken blades that are not visible on display. This was from a 2015 find that had an especially great form, later materials did not look like this. An excellent and esthetic Copper secondary specimen with fine color. The largest of the original crystals is about 3 CM which was huge in this find.
Shattuckite and Plancheite after Anhydrite
stock #AX-19-185
M Sessa Mine, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
4.4 x 1.5 x 1.4 CM (miniature)
price: $700
New Year 22
A remarkable and unusual secondary Copper piece; a hollow cast that shows the form of the original Anhydrite crystal that was replaced by bright blue Shattuckite. The Shattuckite is covered with a mint green layer of Plancheite making a nice contrast. The whole piece has the form of the original Anhydrite crystal and maintains a central void with the same shape. Reminiscent of the shape of Azurite casts from the Apex Mine in Utah, this is an even more rare replacement found just once about 20 years ago at the M'sessa Mine of the Katanga Copper Crescent.
Torbernite
stock #17.1-143
Musonoi Mine, Kolwezi
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
8 x 4.3 x 2.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $1650
Spring 2019
A big well crystallized plate of deep green Torbernite from the old finds at Musonoi. In fine condition, with individual crystals averaging over a Centimeter (up to 1.5CM). These top Congo specimens are from finds decades ago, these are already considered to be classics for the specie. Most of the crystals here are standing on edge with termination faces showing but a few are laying flat. The flat faces have a lighter green color and are a nice contrast to those showing darker edges.
Chrysocolla PS after Malachite after Azurite
stock #15.1-330
Lupoto mine, Lubumbashi, Katanga Copper Crescent
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
9.1 x 8.1 x 5.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $780
An eye-catching complex cluster of very sharp crystal forms that show clearly the original shape of the Azurite crystals that were altered to Malachite and are now nearly all Chrysocolla. A few of the smaller crystals have broken section that show the core of unaltered Malachite. Other crystals are now hollow as well, reaching up to 3.2 CM long. Overall this is a delicate specimen that is very 3 dimensional and a choice cast form . One of the mineralogical discoveries that made big news about 2 years ago, these are now quite scarce on the market.
Cobaltoan Calcite and Malachite
stock #AX-12-019
Mashaba West Mine, Kolwezi Mining District
Katanga (Shaba),
Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
6 x 4.4 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $640
The Cobaltoan Calcites of Mashamba have been gone for more than a decade now, but they are still considered to be some of the best and most intensely colored ever found. This specimen has the most desirable contrast with a small matrix of green Malachite and has several generations of pink to clear Calcite displayed. Sadly there are some edge cleaves or contacts but the overall specimen condition is very good and still displays well. The best Scalenohedral crystals are remarkably clean and free of chipping. There are several possible display angles. Now very hard to get in the mineral market these are unique and quite sought after.
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