mineral
Copper Ore (Chrysocolla/Malachite in host rock)
Hydrated copper phyllosilicate and copper carbonate hydroxide
Hardness varies from 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale depending on the specific secondary copper minerals present; displays characteristic vibrant turquoise-blue to green coloration; vitreous to dull luster; opaque; uneven to conchoidal fracture.
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Physical properties
Hardness varies from 2 to 4 on the Mohs scale depending on the specific secondary copper minerals present; displays characteristic vibrant turquoise-blue to green coloration; vitreous to dull luster; opaque; uneven to conchoidal fracture.
Formation & geological history
Formed in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits, typically through hydrothermal alteration and weathering of primary copper sulfides.
Uses & applications
Source of copper metal, ornamental stone, lapidary work, and mineral collecting.
Geological facts
Secondary copper minerals like chrysocolla and malachite are strong indicators of underlying primary copper ore bodies.
Field identification & locations
Readily identified in the field by its striking blue-green staining against a brownish-red or gray host rock. Common in major copper-producing regions worldwide.
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