mineral
Malachite / Copper Ore
Cu2CO3(OH)2
Hardness: 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale, Color: Bright green to yellowish-green or dark green, Luster: Adamantine to vitreous, silky, or dull, Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, specific gravity: 3.6-4.0
- Hardness
- 3
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3.5-4 on the Mohs scale, Color: Bright green to yellowish-green or dark green, Luster: Adamantine to vitreous, silky, or dull, Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, specific gravity: 3.6-4.0
Formation & geological history
Forms in the upper oxidized zones of copper ore deposits, commonly associated with limestone where groundwater interacts with copper-bearing minerals. Highly plausible given the region (Central Chile near Santiago is one of the world's major copper-producing belts).
Uses & applications
Used as an ore of copper, in ornamental carvings, beads, inlay work, and as a mineral specimen for collectors.
Geological facts
Malachite has been used as a gemstone and ornamental material for thousands of years, as well as a green pigment in paintings until the modern era.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic green color and effervescence (fizzing) when tested with dilute hydrochloric acid due to its carbonate content. Commonly found in copper-rich mining regions like Chile.
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