Malachite (representative of a collection)
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/79027397@N04">Museu Valencià d'Etnologia</a> from València, España (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Mineral NameMalachite (representative of a collection)
Chemical FormulaCu2(CO3)(OH)2
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustersilky
Streak Colorlight green
Cleavageperfect on {201} (rarely observed)
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.9
Colorsgreen, dark green
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityKatanga, Democratic Republic of Congo
Mineral GroupCarbonates
Usesornamental stone, jewelry, pigment, collector's specimens
Associated Mineralsazurite, chrysocolla, cuprite, native copper, goethite
Raritycommon
Description
The image shows a collection of various mineral specimens displayed in a wooden case, with individual samples exhibiting diverse colors, forms, and lusters. Malachite, identifiable by its vibrant green color and botryoidal habit, is one of the prominent minerals in this collection.
Geological Context
Malachite is a secondary copper mineral formed in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, often found in association with other copper carbonates and oxides. The diverse specimens in the collection suggest a variety of formation environments.
