CHRYSOCOLLA (copper silicate)
Chrysocolla, a minor ore of copper, provides the unique blue to blue-green color to the stones at the GZ. The original ore is copper-iron sulfide, and when the sulfide deposit is weathered near the surface of the earth, chrysocolla is one of the minerals that can form. The vein-like distribution of the chrysocolla mimics the shapes of the sulfide veins in the original copper ore, since it forms in the oxidation zones of copper rich ore bodies. These visually pleasing stones are obtained from copper deposits in the area and are frequently used for ornamental landscaping.
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Pure chrysocolla is soft and fragile and therefore not appropriate for use in jewelry. However, chrysocolla often is agatized in quartz and it is the quartz that provides the stone with its polish and durability. This mineral can even have a turquoise color and is sometimes fraudulently substituted in jewelry for the more precious stone.
The color of this mineral can vary widely from more blue to more green, often in the same specimen. Druzy Chrysocolla is a rock composed of agatized chrysocolla with a crust of small sparkling quartz crystals in small cavities, such as you will find lining the pathways at the Biosphere II.
To log this as a find, please answer the following questions and email them to the CO through the profile: Short answers are fine.
1. Does chrysocolla have more than one form? If so, name two.
2. Why does the chrysocolla sometimes have a vein-like form on stones?
3. What are the items lined up together at the east side near the stones? The name of which Shakespeare play is listed under the items?
FTF: tugies!
The art located at the GZ was done by Rebecca Thompson.
Thanks to park superintendent Mr. Cook for permission to place this cache. Sources: C. Eastoe at the University of Arizona Geosciences Dept, The Center for Land Use Interpretation: http://clui.org/ludb/site/lavender-pit, and Wikipedia
(photo contributed by HaveBirdWillGeo)