Deep underground where copper deposits are quarried, miners discover cavities and fractures which have become filled with beautiful green banded minerals that were deposited by dripping, mineral-laden hydrothermal ground water much in the same way that stalagmites are formed in caves. The dripping water forms botryoidal orbs and patterns of copper carbonate hydroxide, Cu2CO3(OH)2. This beautiful and scarce mineral is prized by artisans who make decorative vases, carvings and creative jewelry pieces.
