Hi,
Better late than never ... here's the Gem of the Month for November.
This month's "Gem of the Month" is ....
Chrysocolla.
Feel free to add more info & pics. If anyone has any questions about Chrysocolla then this is a good place to post them.
You might like to change your "Gem of the Month" votes now that this one has been covered.
General Information:Chrysocolla ia s blue-green hydrated copper cyclosilicate mineral. Its name means "gold glue" as is was once used to solder gold. It forms in the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies.
Here are a few useful links that should cover all of the main information.
Wikipedia -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ChrysocollaMindat -
http://www.mindat.org/min-1040.htmlGemdat -
http://www.gemdat.org/gem-1040.htmlMinerals.Net -
http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/Chrysocolla_gemstone.aspxFossicking Locations:Chrysocolla is found in some quantity in most copper mines, where it occurs in the "oxidation zones". For example, Mineral Hill, Girilambone, Cobar (NSW), Mt Isa, Cloncurry (QLD) etc. In most locations you need permission from the mine operators to collect mineral specimens. NW QLD, in particular, seems to have a good supply if you know where to look.
Here are some of Fullerton's previously posted pics of Cloncurry Chrysocolla. There are more in his albums.[smg id=2262 type=preview align=center width=400]
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