Chrysocolla

  

A very minor copper ore, chrysocolla’s name was first used by Theophrastus in 315 BC and comes from the Greek chrysos meaning “gold” and kola meaning “glue,” in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold. This mineral is typically found as glassy botryoidal, rounded masses, or bubbly crusts in green, bluish-green, and blue colors. It can be confused with turquoise but can be distinguished from it by seeing if it sticks to your tongue.

Mineral Photos courtesy of R.Weller/Cochise College