Description
This cornetite and chrysocolla is from the Star of the Congo Mine, or L’Etoile du Congo mine, in Lubumbashi, Katanga Copper Crescent, Democratic Republic of the Congo.This mine is worked by the local population for the recovery of mineral specimens for collectors. There are eleven different minerals at the mine and cornetite is the most famous. It is a phosphate that contains the elements Cu, Po, O and H. This specimen consists of a breccia tuff matrix that forms a geode-like formation covered on the display side with chrysocolla, a copper silicate ( Cu, Al, Si, O and H), that has a layer of microscropic cornetite deposits just below the surface. The unusual inclusions give the specimen it’s unique color and luster. This specimen measures 3 1/4 x 2 x 1 3/4 inches or 82 x 50 x 45 mm.
