Chrysocolla silver ring (1114293)

A beautful piece of Chrysocolla set in a silver ring - Size 55.

This deeply blue-green coloured mineral was once called "green turquoise" before being distinguished as a mineral of its own. This strong copper bearing mineral was also used as a caustic application for wounds, ulcers, sore eyes and as a very dangerous emetic. The name comes from the Greek chrysos meaning gold, and kolla meaning glue in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold, first used by Theophrastus in 315 BCE.