Chrysocolla Pendant - Height: 3.5 cm - Width: 2 cm- 11 g - (1)

Overview


This pendant, made from natural chrysocolla from Peru, is cut in a large cabochon and set in 925 sterling silver. In the photographs you can see the silver punch/mark, a feature consistent with correctly hallmarked jewelry and with a finish that matches an old-stock batch.



The piece stands out for its blue-green palette and the internal reading of the material, with natural transitions and matrix areas that add depth, avoiding the “flat” appearance typical of certain dyed imitations or reconstructed materials. It is a pendant with real presence, suitable for both everyday wear and collection.

Measurements (cabochon)
Cabochon: approx. 3.5 × 2.0 cm

Cabochon thickness: approx. 0.5 cm

Setting: 925 sterling silver



The cabochon is the valuable element and the “heart” of the piece; the indicated size is that of the cut stone.

Mineralogical and Geological Analysis (clear and professional explanation)


What exactly is chrysocolla?


Chrysocolla is a hydrated copper silicate, associated with the oxidation zones of copper-bearing deposits. Its characteristic color (blue and green) comes from copper, and it typically occurs together with other minerals from the same geological environment.

Chemical formula (reference): Cu₂H₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄ · nH₂O

In practice, it can exhibit compositional variability and microcrystalline mixtures; in gemology it is accepted as chrysocolla for its identity and visual appearance.

Hardness (Mohs): variable, approx. 2–4 (depending on the degree of silicification)

System / habit: microcrystalline mass, aggregates, veins



Why Peru Matters


Peru is a country with a tradition of copper mining and areas with mineralizations rich in copper. In this context, secondary minerals such as chrysocolla, malachite, azurite, cuprite, etc. develop. The mention of 'Peru' is not a commercial adornment: the origin is associated with a type of geological formation consistent with the material's appearance (copper-blue/greenish tones with matrix and transitions).

Visual reading of the piece (why it “looks natural”)


The stone shows:

Internal blue–green transitions with an organic/mineral appearance (not a uniform plastic color).

Darker zones / matrix that provide depth and geological coherence.

A proper polish that highlights the color without concealing the material's natural character.



This kind of reading (structure + matrix + transitions) is one of the criteria most commonly used by collectors to distinguish convincing natural material from industrial imitations.

Authenticity, treatments, and market reality (no smoke, with rigor)


Chrysocolla is a desirable but delicate material, and therefore the market is full of:

Imitations (dyed resins, composites, reconstituted materials)

Chrysocolla-style material sold under ambiguous names.

Commercial stabilizations (impregnation/resin) to improve hardness and polish



Key professional point:

Stabilization can exist in porous materials and does not necessarily imply 'falsification', but should be understood as a possible treatment in commercial gemstones. In this piece no specific treatment is declared because no laboratory analysis has been performed. It is presented as natural chrysocolla with a consistent appearance, mounted in 925 sterling silver and photographed in detail so that the buyer can evaluate.



Online platforms also feature counterfeits, even in channels that appear “serious.” That’s why this description prioritizes transparency, clear measures, and photographs of the hallmarks.

Why this piece is interesting today (scarcity + investment)


In recent years, the mineralogical market has become saturated with imitations, which has given rise to a paradox:

The fake material is abundant and 'cheapens the perception'.

But authentic, convincing, and well-presented material is becoming scarcer and more in demand.



The chrysocolla with an attractive color, in a large cabochon form and with a proper setting, is precisely the kind of piece that:

attracts informed buyers

it is well preserved as a mineral jewel

and tends to hold its value in a context of inflation and increasing counterfeiting.



Therefore it is offered as a collectible piece/jewelry with a serious positioning, not as mass-produced costume jewelry.

Metal and fabrication (sterling silver)


The setting is made of 925 sterling silver, with visible contrast in photographs. The 925 silver:

adds intrinsic value

allows professional restoration/cleaning

and it is an international standard recognized by collectors and jewellers

Condition of preservation
Piece in very good condition (see photos)

Properly polished, with no major visible dents.

A secure and suitable setting for use.

Origin / old stock (old shipment)


It comes from an older shipment/batch, which usually implies:

Selected materials in a less saturated market.

parts manufactured before the current boom of reconstituted/imitation products

greater likelihood of classical coherence in stone and mounting

Human note (origin and respect)


Behind every mineral there is hard human labor. I recognize the effort of the miners and of the sourcing chain at origin, especially in countries with an extractive tradition.