Chrysocolla with Quartz

specimen number:
8311224

location:
Ray Mine, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA

description:
A fine thumbnail from this classic Arizona locality. A grouping of attractive blue terminated chrysocolla stalactites, these coated with micro crystalline quartz. In very good condition.

The Ray Mine, located in Pinal County, Arizona, is a major porphyry copper deposit that has been mined since the late 19th century, with early underground operations later giving way to large scale open pit mining. The deposit formed through hydrothermal processes that introduced copper minerals into fractured intrusive and surrounding rocks, creating extensive zones of disseminated mineralization. In addition to its importance as a copper producer, the Ray Mine is known among collectors for distinctive secondary mineral specimens formed in the oxidized zones. Among these are chrysocolla and quartz stalactites, which developed in cavities where mineral rich solutions deposited layers of silica and copper bearing material over time. These stalactitic forms often show banded structures and blue to green coloration from chrysocolla, combined with translucent quartz, creating attractive and unusual specimens that are highly valued by collectors.

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