What on Earth Is Shattuckite?

Shattuckite is a rich blue to green copper silicate mineral that often coats quartz crystals to make vivid blue druzes. It was first found in 1915 at the Shattuck Mine in Bisbee, Arizona, and the finest specimens come from Namibia. In crystal lore it is a stone of communication and intuition. Here is how it forms, its history and what it stands for.

The Physical Properties of Shattuckite

It forms in different crystal forms. It can be elongated, compact, botryoidal (like a cluster of grapes), spherical, or grainy. Globular shattuckite crystals can form along the sides of vugs. Shattuckite often creates pseudomorph after replacing other minerals like quartz, cuprite, and dioptase.

Shattuckite is a soft mineral with a Mohs hardness rating of 3.5. Its crystals are translucent to opaque, with a vitreous to silky lustre. Its blueness can range from a bright light blue to turquoise blue to a dark blue. Some specimens can have bands which are concentric in form.

It is rarely used as a gemstone material, with the finest specimens polished into beads and pendants. Besides quartz, shattuckite is associated with other minerals like azurite, calcite, chrysocolla, malachite, and plancheite.

The History of Shattuckite

This eye-catching mineral was first discovered in 1915. It was found by the mineralogist W.T. Schaller in the Shattuck Mine in Bisbee, Arizona. Hence, the name shattuckite. While it's origins can be traced in the USA, shattuckite is found in various parts of the world including Austria, Congo, Great Britain, Germany, Namibia (location of the finest shattuckite specimens), Norway, and South Africa.

The Lore of Shattuckite

Shattuckite has little recorded folklore, since it was only identified in 1915. Its colour and rarity made it a collector's stone from the start, and it pairs well with malachite, which often grows alongside it.

The Metaphysical Properties of Shattuckite

In crystal lore, shattuckite is a stone of intuition. It is linked with the mind, heart and throat, and with the idea of connecting all three so you can speak the truth.

The same connection is said to stand for articulating your thoughts to others, to speak directly from the heart and to speak lovingly to people.

Feeling a little disconnected from yourself? Many people like to hold shattuckite while they meditate, as a reminder to check in with their mind, body and soul.

In crystal lore, shattuckite is also linked with sensitivity to the guidance of one's spirit guides. It is a popular pick for people puzzling over a mystery in their lives.

You don't need an interest in psychic ideas to enjoy shattuckite. If your work involves a lot of talking and engaging people, it is a popular stone of communication to keep on the desk as a reminder to speak with confidence and conviction. Our chakra stones include more throat and heart stones.

Lawyers, teachers, newscasters, ministers and even vloggers are among the people who like to keep it close for a confidence boost, as a symbol of words flowing smoothly.