Libethenite, Tilwezembe Mine, Mutshatsha, Lualaba, DR Congo
Libethenite is an attractive secondary copper phosphate mineral found in the oxidised zone of copper ore deposits. This self-standing specimen features dark Brunswick green to light Kelly green, wedge-shaped crystals of libethenite forming complex interpenetrations. It is associated with lovely, gemmy and translucent, aqua-blue spherical growths of what I infer to be chrysocolla (not analysed). Colorless to white “knobby” quartz crystals provide a lustrous, sparkly accompaniment. The Tilwezembe Mine is an obscure copper and cobalt occurrence in the DRC. There are only three photos of Libethenite from this locality in the public archives of Mindat.
