Bargain, 2.85" Polished Cobaltoan Calcite Sphere - Congo

This is a hand-polished sphere of pink cobaltoan calcite from the Congo. The lapidary work allows for the vivid coloration of the cobaltocalcite to be easily seen. Unfortunately the variety of mineralizations within the rock made it difficult to polish into a perfect sphere. There are also multiple locations of epoxy gap fill around this sphere, hence the reduced price.

Cobaltoan calcite, also known as cobaltocalcite is one of many different varieties of calcite, forming with a chemical composition of (Ca,Co)CO3. It crystallizes in a trigonal crystal system, and it forms rhombohedral or scalenohedral crystals. These crystals tend to display a pink color of which intensity can range anywhere from a pinkish-salmon to a hot pink.

Chrysocolla is a basic copper silicate that typically forms as a pseudomorph following other copper based minerals. The chemical formula is considered undetermined due to the varying substitutions of elements and water content in its chemical structure. However, there is a form of chrysocolla with an identifiable chemical formula of Cu2H2Si2O5(OH)4 that can be found in microcrystals.

Regularly, chrysocolla will form as botryoidal lumps and spheres, rarely forming visible crystals. It can also form in both solid and fibrous veins, over fibrous minerals, and in crusts. Known for its sharp and vibrant coloring, chrysocolla can display a wide variety of colors such as bluish-green, bright green, light blue, to even sometimes multicolored specimens depending on the atmosphere present during formation.

Malachite is an intense green copper-based mineral that can be found in a wide variety of forms. Malachite can grow in botryoidal masses, stalactitic formations, and reniform formations, typically as a tight cluster of fanning fibrous needles that make up a seemingly solid mass. As layers continue to stack during formation, banded patterns can sometimes begin to take shape, explaining the rings in all shades of green seen on most polished malachite specimens.

Malachite results from the weathering of other copper ores, and is very often found associated with other copper-based minerals such as azurite and chrysocolla. It can be found in copper deposits around the world, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary source for polished malachite and mineral specimens.

Malachite has been prized since ancient times, first as a utilitarian copper ore, then as an ornamental stone. Due to its value as a decorative stone, it is rarely mined as a copper ore anymore.
SOLD
DETAILS
SPECIES
Calcite var. Cobaltoan
LOCATION
Katanga Province, Congo
SIZE
2.85" wide
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#95021