Image: Barite-Malachite-denv08-37a

Description: Baryte, Malachite Locality: Shangulowé Mine, Kambove, Central area, Katanga Copper Crescent, Katanga (Shaba), Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaïre) (Locality at mindat.org) Size: small cabinet, 8.9 x 8.8 x 7.0 cm Barite (included by malachite) on Malachite Most of these specimens are either greenish barites free of matrix, or on clunks; or alternately beautiful velvety malachite matrix with little smears of barite upon them. THIS PIECE, though, has balanced aesthetics where both species are nicely formed, and in balance with one another to create a more beautiful whole. It has to be among the better ones I have seen and I do clearly remember when they came out in the late 1980s and just amazed us all. This piece has subtle-pastel colored barites to an inch, splaying out and drawing the eye into the velvety, rounded malachite core. Each species complements the other. This particular find has not been repeated since and to my knowledge remains a unique association not present at other malachite-producing localities that I can think of. I regard this specimen VERY highly as a beautiful piece, but also as a significant example from a unique find. Which is the more important depends on one's point of view, I suppose, about value in minerals. To me, they are equally important when in the same specimen.
Title: Barite-Malachite-denv08-37a
Credit: Image: http://www.irocks.com/db_pics/pics/denv08-37a.jpg, Description: http://www.irocks.com/render.html?species=Malachite&page=2
Author: Robert M. Lavinsky
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
Attribution Required?: Yes