Moving mountains for you
Switch currency

Current Live Auctions

Current Live Fixed Price Sales

Plancheite Malachite & Quartz

Views:
Watches:
PCZ187492

Plancheite Malachite & Quartz

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Mashamba West Mine, Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo
Size Range: 
Miniature (4.5-7 cm)
Size: 
6.5 × 5.5 × 3.5 cm
Description

This is one of two lovely specimens I recently obtained from this famous locality. It is a little different from the norm with beautiful little malachite crystals that look as if they had been sprayed onto stocky quartz stalactites. The reverse side and bottom are coated with powder blue plancheite some of which appears to be possibly pseudomorphing dolomite. Displays well from all sides.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Plancheite

Formula: 
Cu8(Si8O22)(OH)4·H2O
Strunz: 
9.DB.35
Crystal System: 
Orthorhombic
Hardness: 
6.0
Type Locality: 
Sanda carriere (Sanda quarry; Sanda Mine), Mindouli, Mindouli District, Pool Department, Republic of Congo (Brazzaville)

Malachite

Formula: 
Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Strunz: 
5.BA.10
Crystal System: 
Monoclinic
Hardness: 
3.5 - 4.0

Quartz

Formula: 
SiO2
Strunz: 
4.DA.05
Crystal System: 
Trigonal
Hardness: 
7.0
Streak: 
White
Peter Crozier Minerals