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Green mineral Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a mineral from our geology collection, which was donated to the museum by Lord Northampton.

Chrysocolla is a form of hydrated copper phyllosilicate mineral. Its name means gold glue and it was first used to solder gold from at least 315 BCE.

Northampton Museum and Art Gallery
Stone, mineral Chrysocolla

Due to this cyan blue colouration, caused by a form of copper alloy, it has often been used as a replacement for turquoise in gold and silver jewellery.

The mineral is on display in the history of the museum display at Northampton Museum and Art Gallery.

History of the museum display