GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Chrysocolla (Congo)
Congo material supplied as chrysocolla shattuckite, tested to clarify its identity.
Sample: 1565 (#2 chrysocolla) · Completed: May 18, 2026.
Finding: Composition in the range of typical chrysocolla, largely amorphous, with a small amount of quartz. Shattuckite was not identified in this report.
Locality: Congo, according to Soul Body Gems sourcing information. This material was originally supplied to us as chrysocolla shattuckite.
The brown fragments appear to be chrysocolla with hematite/goethite, formed during brecciation of the deposit. The researcher also suspects stabilization but states that confirmation is still needed; this report does not establish it conclusively.
View the original test results
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These results are the property of Soul Body Gems, Alexander Falster, and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Any mention requires full acknowledgment.
Understanding the report figures
Use this guide alongside the written findings and the original report transcript. It explains the purpose of each analytical figure and preserves the laboratory’s own figure labels. The interpretations apply to the tested specimen; signals alone do not establish the identity of every similar-looking stone.
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Diffraction scan: This scan helps identify crystalline minerals by comparing the measured pattern with reference patterns. The laboratory interpretation explains which minerals the comparison supports.
Laboratory figure caption: Figure 1 shows the specimen, 7 cm maximum dimension, with a close-up of the interior on the right. The X-ray diffraction scan of the blue material has the quartz pattern overlaid.
Read the report findings and table as text
Sample 1565 (#2 chrysocolla), submitted by Soul Body Gems, completed May 18, 2026. A Bruker Titan X-ray fluorescence spectrometer operated at 10, 25, and 50 kV. A Bruker D2-Phaser X-ray diffractometer operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Figure 1 shows the specimen, 7 cm maximum dimension, with a close-up of the interior on the right. The X-ray diffraction scan of the blue material has the quartz pattern overlaid.
| Element | Wt.% |
|---|---|
| Aluminum | 0.5 |
| Calcium | 0.3 |
| Copper | 31.3 |
| Iron | 1.5 |
| Silicon | 16.8 |
Summary: The composition falls in the range of typical chrysocolla. X-ray diffraction shows largely amorphous material, fairly common for chrysocolla. Main diffraction peaks are present but weak, with a small amount of quartz. Brown fragments appear to be chrysocolla with hematite/goethite, evidently formed during brecciation. The material breaks through the brown masses without offsets. Many chrysocolla lapidary items are stabilized to improve resistance to breaking; the researcher suspects this specimen has been stabilized and intends to check for confirmation. The report ends with the May 18, 2026 date and signature.
Read the original laboratory report as text
The following text and tables are transcribed from the original laboratory document. Figure captions identify the report images; the laboratory interpretations and limitations are preserved.
Laboratory report 1
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1565 (#2 chrysocolla )
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 5-18-2026
Operating conditions: A Bruker Titan X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was used and operated at 10, 25 and 50 kV.
A Bruker D2-Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. 7 cm maximum dimension. Close-up of interior on the right.
Table 1: Major and minor elemental composition of the material, in wt. %. From a fresh surface
| Aluminum | 0.5 |
|---|---|
| Calcium | 0.3 |
| Copper | 31.3 |
| Iron | 1.5 |
| Silicon | 16.8 |
Fig. X-ray diffraction scan of the blue material. Quartz pattern overlaid.
Summary of findings: This is an interesting specimen (Fig. 1). Compositionally, (Table 1) shows that it is in the range of typical chrysocolla. X-ray diffraction (Fig. 2) shows that the material is largely amorphous. This is fairly common for chrysocolla, though. The main diffraction peaks are present but weak, there is a small amount of quartz present. The brown fragments appear to be chrysocolla with hematite/goethite, evidently it formed during some brecciation of the deposit. The material breaks though these brown masses without change such as offsets. Many chryscolla lapidary items have been stabilized, the resistance to breaking is enhanced by this procedure and it appears that this has also been done. I will see if I can confirm this.
Date: 5-18-2026 Signature