mineral

Malachite

Copper carbonate hydroxide [Cu2CO3(OH)2]

Hardness: 3.5-4.0 Mohs; Color: Bright green to dark green with distinctive banding; Luster: Adamantine to vitreous or silky; Crystal system: Monoclinic; Gravity: 3.6-4.0

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

Identified July 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-4.0 Mohs; Color: Bright green to dark green with distinctive banding; Luster: Adamantine to vitreous or silky; Crystal system: Monoclinic; Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Formation & geological history

Formed in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits where carbonated waters interact with copper-bearing minerals. Common in supergene weathering zones.

Uses & applications

Primarily used for decorative jewelry, beads, ornamental carvings, and historical pigments. It is also a source rock for copper ore.

Geological facts

Malachite is often found associated with blue azurite. It has been used as a green pigment in paintings since antiquity and was highly favored in Czarist Russia for massive ornamental architectural columns.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its characteristic vibrant green color and concentric, botryoidal banding. Commonly found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, Russia, and Arizona, USA.