Malachite - unusual style

Item Description

Sparkling botryoids of green, primary Malachite accent a contrasting ochre-colored quartzite matrix in this cabinet-sized specimen from Katanga in the DRC, an area rich in copper minerals. The Malachite spheres are both clustered and isolated on the matrix; overall making for a very well composed and balanced display piece. Normally these occur as loose solid clusters, NOT isolated nicely on matrix so this really is somewhat unusual even amongst tonnage of exported malachite specimens! The scintillating Malachite botryoids range in size from a few millimeters up to 2.3 cm. Pieces with such isolated botryoidal balls like this from the DRC came out a few decades ago and are difficult to obtain.

This specimen is part of the 2024 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, by donation, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 19th, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.