Chrysocolla

Introduction: Many years ago, Chrysocolla was used as a flux for soldering gold. The Greek names chrysos meaning 'gold' and kolia for 'glue' stuck. This is a stunning blue to dark blue mineral, known for its attractive radiating bundles of microscopic crystals.

Distribution: A relatively common find as a thin coating or crust on Namibia's known 300 copper deposits. The old copper prospect at Omaue in Kaokoland mined over 50,000kg of chrysocolla. Ongana copper mine also produced significant quantities as did Gorob Mine, Matchless, Natas and Tsumeb Mines.

Composition: Silicate

Crystal system: Orthorhombic

Lustre: Earthy or dull

Streak: White

Hardness: 2-4