There are several copper mines in Arizona. Chrysocolla is a common copper mineral found in these mines. Although chrysocolla has a beautiful blue-green color similar to turquoise it can be quite soft and brittle in its purest form.
When chrysocolla is found in a highly silicified form, it is hard enough to be used in jewelry having a hardness that is similar to that of quartz or agate. This highly silicified form of chrysocolla is known as gem silica. Gem silica is highly prised as a gemstone material due to its hardness, color, and translucence.
Chrysocolla is often found with other copper minerals such as azurite, malachite, and cuprite.
