Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is another one of Copper's crystal offspring. This hydrated Copper crystal has two distinct personalities. In its purest form, Chrysocolla is brittle, soft and unsuitable for jewelry and such, without undergoing enhancements. However, if silica is available to "agatize" a Chrysocolla specimen, the resulting crystal is an enchanting stone, hard enough to cut into jewelry, spheres and unique carvings. These Chrysocolla silicates are also known as gem silica.

Colors in Chrysocolla range from greenish blues, like Turquoise, to a Robin's egg blue in clear gem silica specimens. Like Azurite, Chrysocolla often occurs mixed with Malachite, Turquoise and the above, resulting in unusually beautiful gemstones.

The stone forms after Copper deposits are diluted by hydrothermal solutions, often rich in silicates (Quartz) and other minerals. This material deposits in surface stones, where it is weathered away by rains and winds. Ultimately it leaches back into Mother finally crystallizing into Chrysocolla, as well as Turquoise, Malachite, Wulfenite, Azurite and dozens of other sedimentary gems.

Some of the finest specimens of Chrysocolla Gem Silica are found in the Arizona mines. The deposits in the Keystone mine were first discovered in 1905. Though Native Americans had mined similar material from nearby locations hundreds of years earlier.

It is believed that the Copper deposits that created this vast array of mineral and crystal specimens originated in the Arizona area between the middle of the Mesozoic era and the beginning of the Cenozoic. If you remember the history of Petrified Wood, at one time Arizona was a vast shallow sea that became buried. Eventually colliding land masses heaved plains into mountains, pushing the area's primal past back to the surface and creating ideal conditions for Copper to weather and recrystallize.

Similar occurrences of these Copper crystals are found in New Mexico and Sonora Mexico. Outside the US, Chrysocolla is also mined in Israel, Zaire, England, Russia, Namibia, Australia, Chile, Greece and China.

The Greek roots of this gemstone's name seem to have little to do with the crystal itself. Chrysos is Greek for gold and kolla means glue. Originally the term was applied to a substance used for soldering Gold. Not a single reference indicated how this name became stuck to the stone we call Chrysocolla.

Very little in the way of old traditions exist for Chrysocolla. Most early use of this crystal was by Native Americans in healing and dealing with emotional challenges. Powders of the stone were used as digestive aids, to improve the body's resistance to disease or relieve arthritic symptoms. Victims and survivors used the stone to calm frayed nerves and cope with the loss of loved ones.

Chrysocolla's color and composition provide some clues into how you can begin to utilize this soothing gemstone. The Copper base and greenish blue color open a clear path from the Base Chakra to your Heart Chakra. The bluer colors activate a path between your Heart and Throat Chakra, giving voice to your deepest dreams, convictions and emotions. Darker blues will aid in activating your Third Eye Chakra, and the high Quartz content in Chrysocolla Gem Silica will open your Crown Chakra.

If you deal with high stress every day, you need to keep one of these calming gemstones in your environment. It will help keep your energy levels up and your thoughts clear, as you move from one crisis to the next. Chrysocolla gives you the correct words when you need them and the wisdom to recognize when silence is more productive.

Are you having trouble seeing your goals because of the obstacles life sets in front of them? Chrysocolla helps clear a mental path so that you can keep your eye focused on your destination, not your momentary situation. The crystal also imparts confidence, keeping irrational fears and imagined dangers at bay.

Artists, writers and other creative people may enjoy Chrysocolla's impact on their imagination. The gemstone helps release pent up feelings that can block your creativity. It aids you in finding practical applications for your countless ideas and assists you in communicating your new concepts to others.

Teachers will enjoy how the crystal aids in communicating lessons and new knowledge.
As a spiritual tool, Chrysocolla can bring a new level of understanding and wisdom to your meditations. It will teach you patience and unconditional love, not just for others, but for yourself as well. Use the crystal to help balance after emotional trauma; its soothing energies can bring the most frayed heart back into harmony with life.

Chrysocolla is excellent for meditations involving world peace and healing Mother Earth. Hold a piece in your hand, visualize the peace/health emanating from the stone through you and encircling the globe.

Just like other Copper based minerals and crystals, Chrysocolla is highly recommended as a treatment for arthritis. It is also believed to detoxify the body and does aid in digestion. The gemstone may be helpful in relieving infections around the tonsils and in the throat.

Use the stone to prevent stress related illnesses, especially those associated with the stomach (ulcers) and heart (high blood pressure). Chrysocolla may be beneficial in clearing blocked breathing tubes, or clearing the lungs. The stone could also alleviate some of the pain associated with labor and ease childbirth.