CHRYSOCOLLA GEMSTONE

CHRYSOCOLLA GEMSTONE

Chrysocolla was named in 315 BC by the ancient Greek botanist and philosopher, Theophrastus, who noticed its resemblance to a material used for soldering gold pieces. Hence its name "Chryso" and "Colla" which means "Gold-like" and "Glue".

Chrysocolla is a hydrous copper silicate. It is more of a silica gel than a mineral that has hardened over time.

Chrysocolla usually comes in green, blue, bluish-green, blackish-blue, brown and in multicolor. It is often found mixed with other minerals such as quartz, chalcedony, turquoise, malachite, azurite and even opal. This mix creates awesome swirls and patches of color and pattern in chrysocolla. This intricate patterns and patches in chrysocolla form alluring abstract landscape designs that make each stone a rare and unique gem.

Pure blue chrysocolla is only 2 to 4 on Mohs hardness scale. Different intergrowths of minerals and the amount of silica during its formation affects and increases its hardness. For example, if a specimen is intermingled with quartz which has a hardness of 7, then this piece of chrysocolla will have 7 on Mohs hardness scale.

Its transparency is opaque sometimes near translucent. It has a waxy, glass-like luster.

The most highly esteemed Chrysocolla gemstones are those that come in intense blue and green. Those that are intermingled with turquoise blue and light green are also sought after.

Chrysocolla was known as King Solomon Stone, and here we are sure it refers to the Eilat Chrysocolla Stone which is found in Israel.

The Eilat Stone which is mined in Southern Israel is mixed with turquoise and malachite. It comes in Blue to blue-green colors.

Another variety of Chrysocolla is called Stellarite. It was also known as Chrysocolla Quartz. It is a light blue gemstone made up of Chrysocolla and Quartz.

Parrot Wing is of a greenish brown color mixed with Jasper and Chrysocolla.

Gem Silica also known as Chrysocolla Chalcedony is a most rare and valuable gemstone. However, it is not part of the Chrysocolla species but is colored by the same copper mineral.

Chrysocolla is a cryptocrystalline material. Its crystals are too small to be seen with the naked eyes. Macrocrystallines such as quartz, amethyst and citrine have large crystals and tend to be translucent or transparent and are a harder material.

Chrysocolla deposits are found in Chile, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Russia, the USA (Nevada) and Africa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).

Chrysocolla had been used by different cultures and civilisations for thousands of years. It was first referred to in the work of Theophrastus in 315 BC.

Ancient Greeks and Romans, not to mention Ancient Egyptians, made powerful magical amulets with chrysocolla for protection in this life and the journey to the afterlife. In ancient Egypt, it was also used as amulets to protect children. Chrysocolla was the gemstone favored by the Roman Emperor Nero.

Hippocrates, who is known as the father of medicine wrote about the healing properties of Chrysocolla. During the Middle-Ages, doctors used chrysocolla to clean wounds and treat sore eyes.

The Incas, Mesoamericans as well as North American Natives, used chrysocolla to decorate their ritual objects and in their spiritual ceremonies.

In Renaissance period, painters powdered chrysocolla mineral to make pigments.

Chrysocolla has often been confused with Turquoise and Malachite and has been sold as such.

Chrysocolla helps you in banishing your fears, your guilt and nervousness especially in public speaking. It manifests spiritual love, tolerance and acceptance of others. It is a spiritual stone that helps the wearer in the acts of forgiveness, and be more loving and understanding towards others.

Chrysocolla is the gemstone for public speakers, teachers, musicians and singers. It is also known to heal any problems having to do with the larynx in general.

Chrysocolla is believed to calm volatile tempers and induce sensitivity and tolerance.

Chrysocollas was known as the wisdom stone. It brings mental clarity and was effective in negotiation skills. It was also the favorite gemstone of midwives, healers, grandmothers or wise women. It was used when these wise women gave their talks and passed on their knowledge to the next generation.

Chrysocolla is honored alongside the Greek Goddess of Wisdom, Sophia. It has a powerful feminine energy. Women believed it made them strong and beautiful. Cleopatra was known to wear Chrysocolla jewelry wherever she went.

Chrysocolla resonates immense healing and calming energy. It is good to carry it around to induce peace and tranquility in our often stressful lives.