Shattuckite is an uncommon copper mineral that is highly regarded for its vivid blue color. It is named after the Shattuck Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, where this mineral was first discovered. Shattuckite occasionally forms within Quartz crystals, underneath the top layer. This creates striking blue formations of Quartz, sometimes with sparkling blue druses. Some collector specimens of Shattuckite are polished to fully bring out the color effect, especially when associated with Malachite, with a blue and green color effect.
Shattuckite is an uncommon yet very aesthetic mineral that makes fine collectors specimens. It is also occasionally used as a gemstone and polished into pendants and beads.
Noteworthy Localities
The finest examples of Shattuckite, in vivid blue formations usually lining vugs, are found in the copper mines of the Kaokoveld District, Kunene Region, Namibia. It also comes from the same region in Namibia at Mesopotamia 504 in Khorixas as botryoidal growths. Radial Shattuckite sprays, sometimes with concentricbanding, come from the Katanga (Shaba) Copper Belt, Congo (Zaire). In the U.S., Shattuckite was well-known from the Shattuck Mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, the mine after which this mineral was named. Another important Arizona locality is the New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima Co.
