mineral

Polished chrysocolla cabochon

Chrysocolla, a hydrated copper phyllosilicate; commonly intergrown with quartz, malachite, or other copper minerals

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Blue-green with dark matrix and a polished vitreous-to-waxy luster. Chrysocolla is typically amorphous, has variable hardness (about 2–4 Mohs; harder when quartz-rich), and no prominent cleavage; the exact composition and properties cannot be confirmed from the image alone.

Identified September 25, 2026More mineral →

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At a glance

Common name: Polished chrysocolla cabochon
Scientific name: Chrysocolla, a hydrated copper phyllosilicate; commonly intergrown with quartz, malachite, or other copper minerals
Category: mineral
Identified: September 25, 2026
Method: Standard

AI Estimated Value

About $5–$40 for a small, ordinary polished cabochon; gem-silica-quality material can be substantially more valuable.

Not an official valuation

AI estimate for general interest only — not an appraisal. Actual value depends on condition, provenance, and market demand. Verify with a professional before buying, selling, or insuring.

This identification was generated by AI and may contain errors. Verify important details before relying on them — and never use an AI result to judge whether a specimen is safe to handle. Read the full disclaimer

Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms as a secondary copper mineral in oxidized zones of copper deposits, often alongside quartz and malachite. It occurs in deposits of many ages; the specimen’s age and locality are unknown.

Uses & applications

Polished cabochons are used in jewelry and collections; copper-bearing ores are also mined for copper, though chrysocolla itself is generally not a major industrial ore.

Geological facts

The vivid blue-green color comes from copper. Quartz-rich material sold as “gem silica” is a harder, more durable variety of chrysocolla.

Field identification & locations

The hand-sized, polished blue-green stone with mottled dark matrix is consistent with chrysocolla. Check hardness and disclose treatments or composite construction before identifying or valuing it; common localities include Arizona, Peru, Chile, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.