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Gem Silica Rough
Locality: Ray Mine, Pinal County, Arizona
Gem Silica is the rarest and most desirable form of Chrysocolla. This material cuts and polishes easily, but coarse wheels may cause fracturing. This Gem Silica has fabulous color and will produce valuable gems.

Chrysocolla is a secondary copper mineral with a blue-green color, that some people mistake for turquoise. The main difference is turquoise contains phosphorus and chrysocolla does not.

Gem Silica takes a great polish with tin oxide or diamond, and may be followed up with green rouge (Zam is a brand name for green rouge). Mohs hardness 5.0 to 6.0.

This Gem Silica may be referred to as #2, but it will cut really great stones. The yield won't be as good as the other rough we have and the resulting stones may be a little smaller, but you can't beat the price! Some pieces may have a little pocket of drusy.

Sample of #2 Grade Gem Silica Rough from Ray Mine, Arizona

This Gem Silica is #1 Grade, which means it will generally cut larger stones and produce a higher yield. It may not be quite as good of a value as the #2 Grade, but may work out better for amateur cutters. Some pieces may have a little pocket of drusy.

Sample of #1 Grade Gem Silica Rough from Ray Mine, Arizona