mineral

Malachite in Matrix

Copper Carbonate Hydroxide (Cu2CO3(OH)2)

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: Bright green to dark green; Luster: Adamantine to vitreous or silky; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Hardness: 3
Color: Bright green to dark green
Luster: Adamantine to vitreous or silky

Identified April 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: Bright green to dark green; Luster: Adamantine to vitreous or silky; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Formation & geological history

Formed in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits where carbonated water interacts with copper-bearing minerals. Common in supergene enrichment zones of hydrothermal veins.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as an ore of copper, as a decorative gemstone for jewelry, and as a popular mineral specimen for collectors. Historically used as a green pigment.

Geological facts

Malachite often occurs with Azurite. It has been used as a gemstone and sculptural material for thousands of years, most notably in the Malachite Room at the Hermitage Museum in Russia.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its distinctive vivid green color and habit. To test in the field, it will effervesce in dilute hydrochloric acid. Commonly found in copper-rich regions of Africa, Russia, and the Southwestern United States.

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