What is Chrysocolla?

Rocks are kind of like people.  Each one has its own personality and characteristics.  Let's get to know chrysocolla today. 

With its bright blueish green color, it stands out in a crowded box full of granite and sandstone.  

It's actually found in many different shades.  Get out your crayons and find the ones labeled teal and cyan. If you've got the fancy Crayola box, check out Robin Egg Blue, Shamrock, and Blue Green. If you've graduated to Behr paint samples, think Key Largo or Island Dream, and, well you get the idea.  However, chrysocolla can even be black or brown.

The Hardness of chrysocolla ranges from 2.5 - 7, depending on the amount of silica in it. Generally dark blue has less silica and is softer, light blue has more silica and is harder.

Here is the basic chemical formula of Chrysocolla: 

 Cu₂H₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄

However, there is also a more complicate formula, because the composition of chrysocolla can vary:   

(Cu_2-x,Al_x)H_2-xSi₂O₅(OH)₄ · nH₂O  where x<1

That means chrysocolla has copper, aluminum, hydrogen, silicon, and oxygen in it.  It is a secondary hydrous copper phyllosilicate mineral.

Wait, a who what now? 

Secondary minerals are formed when another mineral is altered.  Chrysocolla is found in the oxidation zones of copper deposits, where water with dissolved silica (SiO2) in it attacks the copper and causes it to decompose.  

Hydrous means that it has water molecules (H2O) in its structure, since water played a factor in the formation of the mineral. 

A silicate mineral is one that forms when a negatively charged silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) anion combine with a metal ion, like copper or aluminum (Cu, Al).

Phyllosilicate is a fancy word for sheet silicate, meaning it forms in layers, the structure is based on connected rings of silicon and oxygen that extend outward in infinite sheets. 

You won't find any defined chrysocolla crystals.  It forms in masses and crusts, fills veins, and sometimes looks like a bubbly botryoidal blanket covering the surface of a rock.  

If you're curious about the metaphysical properties of chrysocolla, I've heard it's a calming stone that inspires creativity and has a long list of other healing properties.  

I lost the chrysocolla necklace that I wore for years. Ironically, I think it's in a mine, but I'm not sure.  If I knew exactly where I lost it, I'd go back and find it. I was not calm at all when I found out it was gone, and I bet it was pretty distraught too, but I'm no expert on emotional crystals or rocks with feelings.  The internet has many resources if you want to know more about that topic.

However, if you're interested in adding a new chrysocolla specimen to your rock collection, I can help you with that.  These are a few that are available in my Etsy shop now, or feel free to message me if you'd like to see more that I haven't listed yet.  

Shop now - $12

Show now - $10

Show now - $29

I Like Rocks...

I like rocks. 

I started bringing them home as a kid in Wisconsin and earned the nickname "Rocky" from my parents. 

There were rocks in the yard, rocks in the house, rocks in the car, and rocks in my pockets. They came from the playground, the grocery store parking lot, my friends' yards, and the side of the road.

Soon I found out that you could even buy fancy rocks at the mall and in tourist town gift shops.

Since then, I've learned a lot about rocks, and how to collect them responsibly. I minored in Geology at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, took some classes at Arizona State University, and froze my butt off when it snowed at field camp in the desert. 

As I mentioned earlier, there will be rocks and minerals, crystals, and other schist in this blog. Some will probably be for sale, some I won't be able to part with, and some probably won't even be mine. 

You've been warned...

Here is a midnight photo of the rock cabinet in my living room:

I also create designs and geology gifts for people like me who like rocks on t-shirts, hats, tote bags, hoodies, and more.  Here's one I made.  Tell me what you think of it, or click the link below to shop!

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Welcome to the Grumbly Tumbleweed Blog!

Hello, and welcome to the Grumbly Tumbleweed blog!

Be on the lookout here for rocks and minerals, crystals,  unique handmade rock jewelry, and other geology gifts.  We have t-shirts, hoodies, stickers, wall art and home decor for rock collectors and outdoor adventure lovers like myself. 

I'd also like to share some of my travels, thoughts, and everyday laughs and grumbles with you, as well as write some reviews of the cool (or not so cool) things I buy.