{"title":"Shattuckite","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShattuckite\u003c\/strong\u003e is a rare copper silicate hydroxide, Cu5(SiO3)4(OH)2, crystallizing in the orthorhombic system with perfect cleavage on {010} and {100} and a Mohs hardness of only 3.5. Its color runs from pale sky blue and turquoise to a dramatic deep navy or royal blue, driven by the high copper content, and its luster ranges from dull to silky. Well-formed single crystals are genuinely rare; most specimens show acicular needles gathered into radiating sprays, spherical or botryoidal crusts, fibrous masses, or compact reniform coatings lining vugs. Despite lacking metallic elements, it has an unusually high specific gravity of around 4.1, a small but telling detail collectors use to distinguish it from the closely related, harder mineral \u003cstrong\u003eplancheite\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShattuckite forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper deposits, precipitating from copper-rich fluids reacting with silica, and it is famous for replacing earlier minerals atom by atom while preserving their outward form. At its type locality, the \u003cstrong\u003eShattuck Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003eBisbee, Arizona\u003c\/strong\u003e (discovered 1915), it typically forms pseudomorphs after \u003cstrong\u003emalachite\u003c\/strong\u003e. Other classic Arizona occurrences include the \u003cstrong\u003eNew Cornelia Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e at \u003cstrong\u003eAjo\u003c\/strong\u003e, source of massive, richly saturated deep-blue material sometimes intergrown with \u003cstrong\u003eajoite\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the \u003cstrong\u003eEagle Eye Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in \u003cstrong\u003eLa Paz County\u003c\/strong\u003e. Though the historic Bisbee and Ajo workings are largely exhausted, surviving cabinet specimens remain highly prized for their provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe finest crystallized material comes from further afield. The \u003cstrong\u003eKaokoveld Plateau\u003c\/strong\u003e in the \u003cstrong\u003eKunene Region\u003c\/strong\u003e of \u003cstrong\u003eNamibia\u003c\/strong\u003e produces world-class shattuckite with vivid blue radial sprays, spheres, and botryoidal crusts, often alongside malachite and quartz, while the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eTsumeb\u003c\/strong\u003e deposit contributes examples from its extraordinary suite of oxidized copper species. In the \u003cstrong\u003eDemocratic Republic of the Congo\u003c\/strong\u003e's \u003cstrong\u003eKatanga Copper Crescent\u003c\/strong\u003e, the \u003cstrong\u003eTantara Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e near \u003cstrong\u003eShinkolobwe\u003c\/strong\u003e is celebrated for shattuckite pseudomorphs after \u003cstrong\u003edioptase\u003c\/strong\u003e, faithfully preserving the original rhombohedral crystal shape, frequently accompanied by remnant dioptase, chrysocolla, and quartz. Additional material comes from copper districts in \u003cstrong\u003eSonora, Mexico\u003c\/strong\u003e. Because fine crystals are scarce, colors are so intensely saturated, and pseudomorphs after malachite or dioptase offer a rare window into supergene copper mineral chemistry, shattuckite is highly sought by systematic collectors, and occasionally cut as cabochons for those willing to work with such a soft, delicate stone.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"mc-dioptase-shattuckite-namibia-0","title":"DIOPTASE, SHATTUCKITE \u0026 PLANCHEITE – Vivid Green Crystals, Tsumeb Mine, Namibia","description":"\u003cp\u003eA striking collector specimen combining vivid emerald-green Dioptase crystals with contrasting sprays of blue Shattuckite and Plancheite, recovered from the world-famous Tsumeb Mine in Namibia. The vibrant color contrast between the copper-green Dioptase and the deep blue silicate matrix makes this a visually powerful and mineralogically important piece, sourced from a locality that has been closed since 1996 and is no longer actively worked for ore.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 46 x 45 x 34 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 48 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45609869836397,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/IMG20260531174055.jpg?v=1786529242"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/shattuckite.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}