Can Chrysocolla Go In Water? (ANSWERED)

The answer to the question, “can chrysocolla go in water” is a yes and a no.

It depends entirely on its composition and if it has been mixed with other minerals or elements.

Because we won’t often know if that is the case, the best answer to this question is, no.

Chrysocolla should not go in water, however it is still a beautiful stone that can be treasured by any collector.

Learn more about chrysocolla, its properties, and its aversion to water and moisture here.

Can Chrysocolla Go In Water? (EXPLAINED)

Physical Properties of Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a stone that should not go in water because it is very low on the Mohs scale of hardness on its own.

This is a stone that is a combination of both chalcedony and copper hydroxide spertinite.

As such, it is considered to be a stone or a mineral that has secondary origin, because it comes from other minerals.

It is usually found as a glassy stone, and you might see bubbles in it or fiber crystals.

Its overall texture is known to be vitreous or waxy, and it can sometimes take on an earthy texture as well.

The transparency of the stone ranges from translucent to opaque, and again it depends on where it comes from and what it is mixed with.

The color of chrysocolla is a green and blue shade, and often contains light streaks of black and yellow.

The hardness of chrysocolla is low on the Mohs scale.

This is a scale of 1 to 10 for minerals, with 10 being the hardest stone.

Diamonds are a 10, for example.

Chrysocolla is typically on the 2.5 to 3.5 range of hardness.

It is sometimes classified as harder in some classifications or systems.

When it is, that is usually because it is combined with other minerals or part of a harder mineral compound.

The tenacity of chrysocolla is brittle, and this is what makes it so difficult to work with if it is exposed to water.

It won’t always have a tendency to crumble when it becomes moist or exposed to water.

It could though. If it does not crumble, the structure of its hardness composition could weaken.

How Chrysocolla is Formed

Chrysocolla is formed through its association with copper.

Like many other minerals, it will find its way into the cavities and crevices of a larger and harder rock.

It can also be found with some geodes for the avid searcher.

Its construction and formation is very similar to that of chalcedony.

This mineral can also include trace elements of other stones such as quartz and sometimes even malachite.

When it has these elements in its formation, it will be harder on the Mohs scale.

The mineral itself will form from these cavities and crevices of sedimentary rock, and becomes chrysocolla through the decomposition of copper.

It is this composition that lends to chrysocolla’s beautiful colors of blue and green.

It often looks like opal as well with a stronger bluish tint to it.

In some cases, when any mineral is combined with copper, it can be classed as chrysocolla.

If you see chrysocolla that is darker in hue or even brown and classified as chrysocolla, you still want to be careful about its exposure to water.

Copper will change color when exposed to oxygen and water, and the same could happen with chrysocolla.

The change in color is not the most important component of chrysocolla when it gets wet or goes in water.

Its structure could be compromised.

Chrysocolla is found in many areas of the world, including Taiwan, Philippines, New Mexico, Peru, and Mexico.

There is also a large mine in Arizona that produces gem silica, and that may also be able to produce chrysocolla.

Can Chrysocolla Get Wet?

Overall, no, chrysocolla can not go in water.

It has a hardness level that can not withstand moisture or getting wet.

If you know for sure that your chrysocolla has been combined with other minerals, then you can put it in water and take that risk.

Still, it is always better to avoid putting it in water if you can avoid it.

There are ways to clean chrysocolla without it being immersed in water.

This is a stone that is close to the chalcedony family and this means that it is porous in nature.

When a stone is porous, it is going to absorb more liquid, and it will also be softer in nature.

The bubbling you might see in chrysocolla can identify to you how much porosity there is in the stone that you are looking at.

The color of your stone will appear prettier after you put it in water.

But you should avoid this.

Clean the stone with a soft cloth and a little bit of dampness won’t hurt the stone too much.

Misting the area around your stone could help to clean it as well.

Never use an acid, solvent, or bleach on your chrysocolla, as it does not have the strength that other stones do.

You also don’t want to expose it to heat at all, for the same reason that you don’t want to expose it to water.

It will become too brittle and you may not be able to manage it or handle it well after that.

A dry cloth is ideal.

You don’t need your chrysocolla to shine, as it will have a tendency to do that on its own.

The color speaks for itself.

You can make your chrysocolla last longer by ensuring it is protected when it is not in use.

Put it in a gem box or trinket box, or in a soft bag where it can not be exposed to too many elements.

If you store your chrysocolla on its own, and away from other stones, it will also give it a longer life in your treasure chest.

When you have chrysocolla, you do have an investment.

Chrysocolla is a valuable stone that is known to be as valuable as $100 per carat, and that is something you have for a lifetime.

Invest in Chrysocolla

The answer to the question, can chrysocolla go in water, is no.

Typically, no.

You can put moisture on it but it is not advised.

Immersing it in water is not a good idea at all either.

Mist the area around your chrysocolla if you really want it to shine with some liquid, but that won’t be necessary.

Polish it with a soft cloth and protect it when you can.

Invest in chrysocolla today and use this care guide to make sure it lasts.