Skip to main content
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

Green, Blue Malachite and Chrysocolla Stalactite Slice Mineral Specimen- DRC

About the Item

Of all the incredible malachite specimens recovered from the Katanga Copper Crescent of the DRC, there is only one known incidence of a stalactite composed of chrysocolla with stunning malachite "eyes" and azurite rings at this level of quality. This cut and polished slice is a cross-section of that singular stalactite specimen. Its uniqueness stems from its formation: malachite stalactites formed first, followed by successive layers of cerulean chrysocolla and deep blue azurite that gradually precipitated over time, coating each preceding layer. Eventually, the smaller stalactites fused together, creating a vibrant pattern with rhythmic bands of color. The stalactite was divided into approximately twenty slices of varying sizes and degrees of detail. Due to the natural tendency for stalactites to taper towards their tips, the most ornate and impressive slices amounted to less than a dozen large and intricate pieces which were situated closest to the pocket's ceiling. Even among the top ten pieces, there is a significant difference in aesthetics, quality, and detail. This particular example belongs to that select group. Its interlocked system of colors, reminiscent of tree rings, beautifully illustrates a gradual and transformative growth that spanned many years. With its captivating display and unique formation, this slice would make a captivating conversation starter in any space. Item reference: #09609.

More From This Seller

View All
Pink Heart Rhodochrosite Slice Mineral Specimen, Capillitas Mine, Argentina
Located in Edison, NJ
Rhodochrosite stalactites are found exclusively in the Mina Capillitas (“little chapels”) mineral deposit of Argentina. Within each nondescript stalactite is a core with bands of blu...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Argentine Natural Specimens

Materials

Multi-gemstone

Sky-blue Aragonite Mineral Specimen – Wenshan Mine, China
Located in Edison, NJ
Aragonite is a polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). It is elementally identical to calcite but is considerably rarer due to the very specific geological conditions required for it...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Multi-gemstone

Blue Fluorite Crystal Mineral Specimen, Yaogangxian Mine, China
Located in Edison, NJ
The Yaogangxian mine (whose name translates to, “Jade-Mountain god”) is located within a 4 x 2.5 km expanse of a tungsten-tin (W-Sn) deposit in the Hunan Province of China. Although the deposit has been mined since 1914 for ore, it has only recently been a source of collectible mineral specimens. Despite being among the newer finds in the mineral collecting world, YGX fluorites have distinguished themselves with their enchanting water-color blues, lilacs, and purples and propensity for good form. This is a sculptural example made up of several cubic fluorite crystals...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Multi-gemstone

Purple / Blue Fluorite Mineral Specimen – Xiayang Town, China
Located in Edison, NJ
This breathtaking specimen comes from a distinctive group of fluorites that have affectionately been nicknamed, “tanzanite fluorite” for their gemlike aesthetics and color-shifting a...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Stone, Multi-gemstone

Green Quartz var. Prasiolite Crystal Cluster Mineral Specimen – China
Located in Edison, NJ
Quartz can be found in nearly every corner of the earth, yet despite its abundance, there are some rarer varieties of quartz that differentiate themselves with their distinctive colo...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Quartz

Seafoam Green Fluorite Crystal Mineral Specimen – Dongpo Ore Field, China
Located in Edison, NJ
This is an attractive example from the Dongpo Ore Field of China. The best Dongpo fluorites are known for translucent crystals with great form and an attractive light green tone. This is a prime example featuring three sharp, cuboctahedral crystals in a saturated, seafoam green tone. The fluorites have multi-stepped faces along their sides and central faces that are smooth, acting like windows into the translucent crystals. The crystals’ lustrous sheen further highlights their intricate structure. They have formed atop a contrasting matrix (host-rock) of bladed, beige dolomite crystals. The dolomite is sharp and has formed in dense intergrown rosettes. Peeking out from under the dolomite and fluorites is a shimmering matrix of druzy, white quartz that frames the piece overall. The juxtaposition of textures, colors, and species makes the already colorful fluorite crystals...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Natural Specimens

Materials

Multi-gemstone

You May Also Like

Genuine Polished Malachite with Chrysocolla Stalactite Slice (2.9 lbs)
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous, colorful doubly polished Malachite and Chrysocolla slice from the Congo. Boasting intricate and artistic textures consisting of well-defined, thick, concentric an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Natural Specimens

Materials

Malachite

Genuine Polished Malachite with Chrysocolla Stalactite Slice (5.2 lbs)
Located in New York, NY
This is a gorgeous, colorful doubly polished Malachite and Chrysocolla slice from the Congo. Boasting intricate and artistic textures consisting of well-defined, thick, concentric an...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Congolese Natural Specimens

Materials

Malachite

Malachite-Chrysocolla Specimen Large
Located in New York, NY
Richly marbled chrysocolla-malachite specimen with a vibrant emerald color. The beautiful blue-green of chrysocolla has made it a prized gemstone in ornamental use since antiquity.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Natural Specimens

Materials

Malachite, Multi-gemstone

Natural Chrysocolla Malachite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A large scale natural chrysocolla malachite specimen originating from Congo. A rare find, some of the world’s finest malachite comes from Congo. This exceptional mineral has an irregular form that has been moulded by nature over thousands of years. Showcasing a vibrant combination of vivid blues (chrysocolla) and rich greens (malachite), this specimen is a striking sculptural piece for an interior or collector’s cabinet, mounted on a bespoke steel stand for display. First discovered over 4000 years ago, malachite has been adored for its colour and beauty since ancient times. While a popular item for jewels and amulets, the mineral was often ground down and the pigment used as a luscious green paint for architecture or even a vivid green eyeshadow! Chrysocolla is frequently intergrown with other minerals such as quartz and malachite like...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Natural Specimens

Materials

Malachite, Steel

Large Natural Chrysocolla & Malachite Specimen
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A striking large natural bedrock specimen with a coating of chrysocolla and malachite displayed on a custom neoclassical style stand. This specimen is of an unusual irregular shape ...
Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Malagasy Natural Specimens

Materials

Natural Fiber

Natural Malachite Obelisk Mineral Specimen
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This one-of-a-kind malachite obelisk is one of the best I have come across, with pleasing proportions, a regal design, and a degree of complexity requiring greater skill and precisio...
Category

20th Century European Other Obelisks

Materials

Malachite, Onyx

Recently Viewed

View All