CHRYSOCOLLA (large cabinet)

Chrysocolla is a hydrous copper phyllosilicate mineral and mineraloid characterized by the formula Cu2 – xAlx(H2Si2O5)(OH)4⋅nH2O (where x < 1) or (Cu, Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4⋅nH2O. Its structural composition has been debated, with a 2006 spectrographic analysis indicating that what is commonly identified as chrysocolla may actually be a blend of the copper hydroxide spertiniite and chalcedony. Typically, chrysocolla forms in an amorphous state.

The term chrysocolla is derived from the Ancient Greek words for "gold" and "glue," reflecting its historical use in gold soldering, first documented by Theophrastus in 315 BC. This mineral exhibits a cyan color and serves as a minor copper ore, with a hardness ranging from 2.5 to 7.0. Chrysocolla is formed through secondary processes in the oxidation zones of copper deposits and is often found alongside minerals such as quartz, limonite, azurite, malachite, and cuprite. It usually appears in botryoidal or rounded forms, as well as in crusts or vein fillings.