Arizona Apache Chrysocolla Slab for Cabbing Lapidary Rough 40mm

Description

From Buffalo Ridge, Arizona, USA, comes this beautiful stone of precious-metals-infused Quartz... Untreated (100% Natural) gemstone-rough for cabbing or wire wrapping; in blue, red, green, and a few hues in between! Known as "Apache Chrysocolla", this material is a conglomeration of Turquoise, Malachite, Cuprite and more. It is highly-sought-after as jewelry supply due to its vivid coloration and strong natural matrix..... Chrysocolla is a copper mineral, found in gold/silver/copper-mining districts across the globe. ...Much of it is softer material (3-4 mohs) and will undercut badly, or crumble when polished without stabilization. It can also appear as exterior stains on surface host-rock in volcanically-active areas, where eons of magmatic waters disseminated heavy-metals through the earth's cracks, and out to the surface in the form of metal-laden silica-rich steam. Over time, these stains build up to create thick vein deposits in places..... When this occurs in upper bedrock, and it is set in silicate forms like this material, it becomes much stronger and can take a high polish, leading to its cherished use in jewelry as a silicate alternative to Turquoise and Malachite, and usually with far more intricate patterning. This is gorgeous material which took a glassy-finish without stabilization. You will receive the exact stone cabochon as shown in the photos above. If you have any questions about this product, please do not hesitate to ask~