mineral

Malachite

Copper(II) carbonate hydroxide [Cu2CO3(OH)2]

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: bright green, dark green, or blackish green; Luster: silky, velvety, or dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: perfect in one direction; Specific gravity: 3.6-4.0

Hardness: 3
Color: bright green, dark green, or blackish green
Luster: silky, velvety, or dull

Identified May 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: bright green, dark green, or blackish green; Luster: silky, velvety, or dull; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: perfect in one direction; Specific gravity: 3.6-4.0

Formation & geological history

Secondary mineral formed in the oxidation zones of copper deposits where carbonated waters interact with copper-bearing minerals. Common in karst environments.

Uses & applications

Historically an ore of copper; widely used for ornamental jewelry, sculptures, and as a decorative stone in architecture. Also used as a pigment (mineral green).

Geological facts

Until the 1800s, malachite was primarily used as a pigment in painting. Massive deposits found in the Ural mountains of Russia were once used to create the giant malachite columns in St. Isaac's Cathedral.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive green color, typical banding or botryoidal habit, and reaction with dilute hydrochloric acid. Commonly found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia, Australia, and Arizona, USA.

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