Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
monocliniccommonCarbonates
Malachite
Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Malachite is a vibrant green mineral, often forming botryoidal, stalactitic, or banded masses, displaying concentric patterns of varying green shades. The image shows a rich green malachite specimen with a botryoidal habit, associated with white cerussite.
Malachite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3.5Crystal System
monoclinicLuster
silkyStreak Color
light greenCleavage
perfect on {201}, good on {001} (rarely observed)Fracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
3.9Colors
bright green, dark green, blackish greenTransparency
translucentType Locality
Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Harz Mts, Lower Saxony, GermanyMineral Group
CarbonatesUses
jewelry, ornamental stone, pigment, minor copper oreAssociated Minerals
cerussite, azurite, cuprite, native copper, goethiteRarity
commonGeological Context
Malachite is a secondary mineral formed in the oxidized zone of copper deposits, resulting from the alteration of primary copper minerals by carbonic acid-rich waters. It is commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions.
