Malachite (Primary and as Ps. After Cuprite) and Chrysocolla, Kambove Principal Mine, DRC RARE!
Specimens from the Kambove Principal Mine are recognized as a highly sought-after occurrence for rare, primary malachite. This fascinating and unique miniature presents primary, translucent, emerald-green malachite crystals intergrown with pseudomorphs after cuprite. Some areas are coated with a thin veneer of a darker vitreous species, likely heterogenite. The malachite rests on a bed of beautifully banded, light to sky blue chrysocolla. The chrysocolla is of two varieties, a powdery blue form and a sky-blue species with adamantine luster, suggestive of the gel variety. The self-standing specimen is noteworthy for its broad array of very sharp, distinct crystalline structures, including (1) the primary forms of malachite documented by Goldschmidt (1913-1926), (2) both cubic and truncated octahedral Ps. after cuprite, and (3) botryoidal forms visible in cross section. Superb composite features are observed, such as radial growth patterns of primary malachite “children” around a “parent” compound crystal. Cross-sectional details include complex botryoidal structures with central kernels of chalcocite, around which radial-stellate structures have formed (plancheite?), yielding to an outer ring of chatoyant, primary malachite. The malachite in cross-section presents sublime rainbow diffraction patterns. Note how remnant grains of sedimentary sandstone host rock have been cemented within the banded chrysocolla.
