A FINE BLOCK OF CHRYOSOCOLLA

A FINE BLOCK OF CHRYOSOCOLLA

Katanga, Congo

Approx. 17 x 13 cm with nearly the entire surface finely polished, and a small area left unpolished to reveal this specimen's natural appearance. This specimen of chrysocolla (in pale blue) occurs here in association with malachite (green), heterogenite (black), and cornetite (dark blue).

Chrysocolla was first mentioned in 315 BC by the Greek Theophrastus, and tales of its used are many. It is said to have been ground to a powder and used by Roman doctors both as an antiseptic and in eye drops. Among the indigenous peoples of South America, chrysocolla is a symbol of the nourishing water of the forest, and is considered a medicinal stone that can calm the emotions and has been found in the tombs of the pre-Inca mummies in the shape of various ornaments.