mineral

Copper Ore (with Malachite and Azurite)

Hydroxide copper carbonate (Cu2CO3(OH)2 / Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2)

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: Patchy green and blue on brown/grey matrix; Luster: Adamantine to earthy; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect to fair; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Hardness: 3
Color: Patchy green and blue on brown/grey matrix
Luster: Adamantine to earthy

Identified May 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: Patchy green and blue on brown/grey matrix; Luster: Adamantine to earthy; Crystal structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Perfect to fair; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Formation & geological history

Formed in the oxidized zones of copper-bearing ore deposits. These minerals result from the weathering of primary copper sulfides like chalcopyrite and are often found in limestone environments.

Uses & applications

Primary source for copper extraction; high-quality specimens are used for jewelry, lapidary arts, and mineral collecting.

Geological facts

Malachite often grows in botryoidal (grape-like) clusters and was used by ancient Egyptians as eye makeup and mineral pigment.

Field identification & locations

Identify by looking for characteristic bright green and deep blue crusts or stains on a host rock. Often found in arid regions like Arizona, USA, or the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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