mineral

Malachite

Copper carbonate hydroxide [Cu2CO3(OH)2]

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: bright green, dark green, blackish green; Luster: silky, velvety, or dull; Crystal Structure: monoclinic; Cleavage: perfect in one direction; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Hardness: 3
Color: bright green, dark green, blackish green
Luster: silky, velvety, or dull

Identified July 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 3.5-4.0; Color: bright green, dark green, blackish green; Luster: silky, velvety, or dull; Crystal Structure: monoclinic; Cleavage: perfect in one direction; Specific Gravity: 3.6-4.0

Formation & geological history

Formed in the oxidation zones of copper deposits where copper ores are weathered. It is a secondary mineral caused by the reaction of carbonated water with copper ores like chalcopyrite. It is often found in limestones.

Uses & applications

Used as an ore of copper, a pigment in paint, ornamental jewelry, carvings, and as a popular collector's cabinet specimen.

Geological facts

Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. It is often found intergrown with azurite, another copper mineral, creating attractively patterned specimens.

Field identification & locations

Identified in the field by its distinct green color, botryoidal (grape-like) habit, and the fact that it fizzes when exposed to dilute hydrochloric acid. Common locations include the DRC, Russia (Ural Mountains), and Arizona, USA.