mineral
Malachite-Bearing Copper Ore
Cu2CO3(OH)2 (Malachite) in host rock
Hardness: 3.5-4 on Mohs scale; Color: Bright green to yellowish green with brownish host rock matrix; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0
- Hardness
- 3
- Luster
- Dull to earthy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3.5-4 on Mohs scale; Color: Bright green to yellowish green with brownish host rock matrix; Luster: Dull to earthy; Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0
Formation & geological history
Formed in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, typically through the weathering of copper sulfide ores in limestone or other carbonate environments. Highly plausible for the given region in Chile (33.2°S, 70.6°W near Santiago, part of the major Andean copper belt).
Uses & applications
Used as copper ore, for ornamental stone, in lapidary work, carved objects, and as a collector's mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Chile is the world's leading producer of copper, and secondary copper minerals like malachite are extremely common in its rich Andean mining districts.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic bright green coloration and effervescence when tested with dilute hydrochloric acid due to the carbonate component.
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