Chrysocolla ps. Baryte (?), Malachite: Tenke-Fungurume area, Lualaba, DR Congo

Description

Species: Chrysocolla ps. Baryte (?), Malachite

Locality: Tenke-Fungurume area, Lualaba, DR Congo

Size: 12.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm.

A beautiful large example of a relatively recent find in the mineral-rich Katanga region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo: lustrous sky-blue chrysocolla psuedomorphs after what were most likely baryte crystals (possibly azurite) with a layer of malachite underneath them and a ‘dusting’ of late-stage malachite on top. Very visually striking, this is a good large example of this find, and is relatively undamaged (~95% of specimens from this find unfortunately seem to have prominent broken crystals). Sits nicely on its own for display and displays well from both sides. Mark Cross photo.