Chrysocolla

Info: Chrysocolla is amorphous hard solution of silicic acid and copper silicate, where copper is often replaced by aluminum or iron. Those metals are the reason for that this mineral changes his color from green or blue to brown. Chrysocolla can form translucent aggregates with wax to glass luster (depend on the amount of silica in the mineral).

How to recognize: Chrysocolla is very similar to turquoise, but when sprinkled with hydrochloric acid it gains yellowish coating.

Found: Chrysocolla was found in great amounts in Chile, Mexico, Idaho, California, New Mexico and Arizona (USA), in Congo, Cornwall (England), in the Urals (Russia) and in Saafeld (Germany). In Czech Republic Chrysocolla was found in Bělovsi near Náchod and in Rokytnice (Krkonoše).

Used for: Sometimes used in jewelry with cabochon grinding.