Gem Silica (variety of Chalcedony colored by Chrysocolla)
Current inventory: 1 gem
 

  
Gem Silica is named for its gemmy quality and that is a variety of Chalcedony which is a microcrystalline variety of Quartz which consists of silicon dioxide, also known as silica (from the Latin word silex).

Discovery year unknown; IMA status: Not Valid (variety name)

More Information

Gem Silica is a variety of Chalcedony colored by Chrysocolla.
For more information please see the Chalcedony information page.

View mineral photos: Gem Silica Mineral Photos and Locations
Also see: Mindat.org

Synonyms:

Chrysocolla Chalcedony, Gem Silica Chrysocolla

Common Associations:

Chrysocolla, Malachite, Quartz, Tenorite

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

None observed

Fracture:

Conchoidal, Sub Conchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Moh's Hardness:

5.5 - 6.5

Luminescence:

None

Optical Properties

Color:

Medium blue occasionally with a tinge of green from other minerals

Transparency:

Translucent

Luster:

Vitreous, Sub-Vitreous, Resinous

Gem Silica is a name for a gem variety of Chalcedony colored by the presence of Chrysocolla or Chalcedony included with Chrysocolla. Gem Silica is named for its gemmy quality and that is a variety of Chalcedony which is a microcrystalline variety of Quartz which consists of silicon dioxide, also known as silica. Silica is from the Latin word silex. In ancient times silex referred to flint and chert. Gem Silica is also known by the names Chrysocolla Chalcedony and Gem Silica Chrysocolla although it is not really a variety of Chrysocolla. Gem Silica is typically found in veins in copper ore deposits. Chrysocolla and other secondary copper minerals are what give Gem Silica its beautiful variety of blue to bluish green colors. These intense colors are what makes Gem Silica so popular. Other copper-bearing gems such as Chrysocolla and Turquoise have similar colors but are much softer. Gem Silica has a Mohs hardness of 5 1/2 to 6 1/2, takes a high polish and therefore is suitable for all types of jewelry.

Gem silica is found in a just a few locations around the world. The most notable are two locations in the United States. These two are found in Arizona at the Ray Mine, Scott Mountain area, Mineral Creek District, Dripping Spring Mts, Pinal County; and the Inspiration pit, Inspiration Mine, Miami-Inspiration District, Gila County. Other locations include Mexico and Peru.
 

  
Gem Silica gems for sale: