Chrysocolla Meaning and Properties
Chrysocolla History
Chrysocolla, the king of carbonate copper gemstones, is an alluring, vivid blue-green color and is often mistaken for turquoise because they share many visual similarities. It can often be found intermingled with malachite , turquoise and azurite , creating a wonderful mixed gemstone known as Eilat stone (named after the city where it was once mined). Legend has it that Eilat stone was originally quarried in King Solomon's mines in Africa—which is partly why it is the national stone of Israel. The rich, vibrant blue and green colors of chrysocolla are reminiscent of looking down upon the earth's surface from space.
The name chrysocolla was first used by Theophrastus, a Greek philosopher and botanist, in 315 B.C. The word was derived from the Greek words χρυσος (chrysos), meaning gold, and κολλα (kola), meaning glue, referencing the fact that chrysocolla, called santerna by the Romans, was employed from the earliest times by goldsmiths as an ingredient for solder, to weld gold pieces together. This fancy gemstone has indeed inspired creativity in many artists, whether they were ancient goldsmiths using it to solder, medieval doctors treating wounds with it, Renaissance painters grinding it as pigment for paint or modern jewelry designer-artists including it within their designs.
This stone lends itself well to opulence. Nero was a Roman Emperor and well-known patron of the green faction of ancient Rome. These ancient factions were split into four colors: red, white, blue and green and were elite clubs that people felt loyalty to above all others. They would have many competitions, such as chariot races, and would do anything to ensure that their club would win and be proven superior. The green faction was the most dominant club, so when Nero was to take part in a race as a charioteer, he dusted the circus arena with ground green chrysocolla powder instead of using the customary sand.
Chrysocolla can be found wherever large copper deposits occur, such as Africa, Mexico, Peru, England and the U.S. state of Arizona, which is known for varieties called Apache chrysocolla and gem silica (also called chrysocolla chalcedony). Chrysocolla from the state of Arizona is a mixture of chrysocolla, turquoise , jasper, lapis lazuli, malachite and quartz crystal minerals, whereas the rarer gem silica combines copper, chalcedony and chrysocolla for a vibrant aqua hue.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Chrysocolla?
Chrysocolla is thought to be the gentlest of stones. It's not considered a high-energy stone like quartz , rutilated quartz or smoky quartz and—unlike malachite, azurite and lapis lazuli —it isn’t said to bring buried emotions to the surface. Its main role is to soothe, calm and inspire. Its color alone is soothing, with a deep blue-green that might remind you of a distant mountaintop or the stillness at the bottom of the sea.
For thousands of years, chrysocolla meaning has been known throughout the world as including calming reconciliation and reassurance. In ancient Egypt, it was called the "wise stone" because it was thought to shield and encourage the mind during negotiations. Those who wore it generally came up with clever compromises and resolutions. This stone also is believed to have the ability to help people who are violent to become more sensitive and tolerant, which is why, as an ambassador, Cleopatra wore chrysocolla jewelry everywhere she went.
Chrysocolla meaning, with associations of tranquility, peace, intuition, patience and unconditional love, is as a healing stone among Native American cultures, where it has been used to strengthen the body's resistance to illness and emotional duress. It has also been used traditionally to bring about calm feelings where there is upset and can be used to purify a place or restore balance to a person.
Chrysocolla is not assigned to any particular month as a birthstone ; however it's a wonderful stone to use in conjunction with turquoise in traditional December birthstone jewelry.
Chrysocolla is purported to have the ability to bring harmony, increase wisdom and guide you toward discretion. It is said to promote levelheadedness, encouraging clarity of thought and a neutral, calm attitude during turbulence by purifying the home, environment and the mind. People use it to decrease nervousness and irritability.
The history of chrysocolla being used as a stone of gentle healing coincides with the stone’s history in other cultures. Legends originating in Tibet and Africa also tell of healings through the use of chrysocolla. It has often been called multi-colored turquoise and, until recently, was not considered a gemstone in its own right until it was cited as a semi-precious gem rock. Then it became a favored stone for jewelry symbolizing prosperity, luck and fortitude.
Chrysocolla is also thought to be a good choice to wear to alleviate difficulty expressing feelings or to enhance creativity. Crystal practitioners say that chrysocolla should have its energies cleansed once a month by rinsing it under warm running water and then placing it in a bowl overnight with a piece of genuine hematite to recharge it.
What is Chrysocolla Made From?
Chrysocolla is a copper-bearing mineral found wherever copper deposits occur. It can be found in prominent areas of the southwestern USA, Chile, Australia, France, England, Peru, the former USSR and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Mineral Information: Copper silicate
- Chemical Composition: CuSi3.2H2O
- Color: Green, blue with brown-white-black streak
- Hardness: 2 to 4 (pure); 2 to 7 (aggregate forms) (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.00 – 2.40
- Refractive Index: Approximately 1.50
How Do You Clean Chrysocolla?
Chrysocolla is a soft gemstone, so special care should always be taken to keep the stone polished. Chrysocolla is sometimes coated with clear, colorless resin to improve its durability and appearance, so steam and ultrasonic cleaners, household chemicals and prolonged exposure to excessive heat should be avoided, as they can cause permanent damage to the stone and this coating. The safest way to clean chrysocolla is with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
Chrysocolla jewelry should be stored separately from other jewelry items that can easily scratch it. Avoid hitting your chrysocolla jewelry with sharp blows as this can fracture and shatter the stone.
Chrysocolla FAQ
Q: How can you tell chrysocolla apart from turquoise or malachite?
A: Here are some factors that can help you distinguish between chrysocolla, turquoise and malachite:
Chrysocolla is usually blue to blue-green, with blotchy and uneven color. Chrysocolla will feel soft and chalky and may sometimes have a porous look.
Malachite is almost always green with banding. A polished malachite stone will feel silky.
Turquoise may have matrix (inclusions that look like a roots or spiderweb), but the blue color will be even, not blotchy or banded. Unlike chrysocolla and malachite, it cannot be scratched with a steel nail. Turquoise has a waxy texture.
Q: Where is chrysocolla commonly mined?
A: Chrysocolla is mined all over the world, with primary deposits in the southwestern USA, Chile, Australia, France, England, Peru, the former USSR and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Q: Is chrysocolla a pure stone?
A: Chrysocolla usually manifests as an aggregate, combined with other minerals like quartz (usually in the form of chalcedony), malachite, azurite, cuprite , limonite and others. In its pure form, chrysocolla is too soft for use in most jewelry.
Q: Where does the name chrysocolla come from?
A: “Chrysocolla” comes from the Greek words for gold (χρυσος / chrysos) and glue (κολλα / kola). The ancient Greeks used it to solder gold, which inspired the name.
Designing with Chrysocolla
Chrysocolla is an opulent gemstone that can be found with traces of malachite, turquoise, jasper and azurite within it, so combining it with these gorgeous stones to make a beautiful tonal look is very easy. Silver complements this gemstone, as do the wonderfully handcrafted Hill Tribes and Rajasthani fine silver beads, or you can use copper wire and findings for truly powerful designs that will amplify the energy of the stone.
Chrysocolla can also be combined in beautiful clusters with the dramatic sparkle of Crystal Passions® in rich blue, green and black designer colors. Chrysocolla cabochons can be framed with hand-molded Art Clay® settings that are beautifully artistic and as individual as the maker.
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**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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