Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla (also known as Gem Silica) is often confused with Turquoise.  The name Chrysocolla comes from the Greek ‘chrysos’ (Xpvaos) meaning gold and ‘kolla’ (KOXXa) meaning glue and was first used by the ancient writer Theophrastus in 315 B.C as a reference to materials used for soldering gold, one of which from the island of Cyprus, may have been identical to the mineral now known as Chrysocolla.

Pure Chrysocolla is far too soft for jewellery but is often found in Quartz deposits which makes it much harder and this can be used.

Chrysocolla was used by the early native American indians for healing and dealing with emotional challenges.  It was powdered and used as a digestive aid to improve the body’s resistance to disease and to relieve arthritic symptoms.  Victims and survivors used it to calm nerves and to cope with the loss of loved ones and to dispel fear.  To this day, it is believed that Chrysocolla provides inner strength during periods of stress or grief and that it promotes harmony and eliminates negativity.  Healers say Chrysocolla helps to balance blood sugar and it can also be used in the treatment of blood disorders, arthritis and the prevention of ulcers.

Chrysocolla is found in Israel, Democratic Republic of Congo, Chile, United Kingdom, USA, Mexico, Russia, Namibia, Australia, Greece and China.

It is a very soft and fragile gemstone so must be treated with great care as it will easily crack or chip.

Chrysocolla is graded 2.5 to 3.5 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness

The following websites offer further interesting reading on the gemstone Chrysocolla

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysocolla

http://www.gemologyonline.com/chrysocolla.html

http://www.gemstoneeducation.com/Chrysocolla.htm

http://www.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/chrysoco/chrysoco.htm