Images of Nature

	Chrysocolla is a blue-green copper bearing mineral. The name chrysocolla sometimes includes different specific minerals and hence does not denote a mineral of specific chemical composition. Chrysocolla may therefore contain aluminum, iron and copper as well as silica and water. Chrysocolla is sometimes used as an ore of copper, as well as for jewelry and for other decorative purposes. The name chrysocolla is derived from Greek words meaning gold glue, as it was used with other minerals as a flux for soldering gold. It is no longer used for this. Chrysocolla occurs with malachite, azurite, tenorite and clay minerals. Chrysocolla is found all over the world but especially in New Mexico, Utah and Arizona. Outside the United States, it occurs in Sonora Mexico, Cornwall, England, Czech Republic, Russia, Israel, Zambia, Zaire, Australia and Chile.