Primary Malachite with Chrysocolla

Item Description

A strikingly shaped "mushroom cap" of moderately lustrous and chatoyant Primary Malachite crystals rests atop the sculptural small cabinet matrix of velvet malachite accented with a bit of contrasting powder-blue chrysocolla and matrix. Primary malachite is uncommon to rare from the two old open pit copper and cobalt mines in the Lubumbashi area. The famous L'Etoile du Congo (Star of Congo) Mine is in Lubumbashi and the piece is probably from this noted locale. These mines have been closed for a long time, but are currently worked by local artisanal miners for specimens and ore. Impressive form on this rare and rich 270-degree example of primary malachite from the locale.