Shattuckite-Chrysocolla-Quartz, Kongo
Foto: K. Sieber, www.makrogalerie.de
The copper deposit Tantara in Congo is known for its very nice specimens of plancheite and shattuckite with dioptase and white calcite. It also provides a rock composed of Shattuckite, Quartz, Chrysocolla, Azurite, Malachite, Bornite and other copper ores, sold simply as "Shattuckite".
The dark blue copper mineral shattuckite usually occurs as needles or fibrous crystals in radiating or massive mineral aggregats. It is formed as a secondary mineralization in the oxidation zone of copper deposits. With a Mohs hardness of 3½ it is too soft for jewelry.
However, embedded in quartz and together with other copper minerals like azure chrysocolla and/or grass-green malachite it makes up a mineral composition that takes a good polish and is not only pleasant to look at but also an attractive collector's stone.