chrysocolla

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Chrysocolla pendant in sterling silver

Species:  Chrysocolla
​​Mohs Hardness:  2 to 4 out of 10
Color:  Translucent to opaque, blue to green, can be mottled with black and brown
RI:  1.460 to 1.630
Birefringence:  0.020
Optic Character:  Biaxial negative
SR/DR/AGG:  DR (possible AGG)
Spectrum:  Not diagnostic
Fluorescence:  Inert
SG:  1.90 to 2.40

chrysocolla facts

Photo courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CM (NAJA), Global Gemology & Appraisals

Chrysocolla is a blue to green gem that ranges from translucent to opaque.

Chrysocolla is a very soft gem, ranging from 2 to 4 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.  Because of its durability issues, you don't typically see much chrysocolla set in jewelry.

Chrysocolla is sometimes treated with a plastic coating to improve its durability.

Chrysocolla-in-chalcedony and Eilat stone are 2 varieties of chrysocolla that are used in jewelry more frequently.

Chrysocolla-in-chalcedony is blue to green-blue, and is semi-translucent to translucent.  It may be unevenly colored or it could resemble fine turquoise.

Eilat stone is a combination of chrysocolla and turquoise or malachite, and can also contain copper minerals.  Eilat stone can also resemble turquoise with matrix, however its "matrix" is not recessed beneath the surface, like turquoise.

All photos courtesy of Scott Papper, GIA GG, AJP, CMA (NAJA)