mineral

Malachite

Copper Carbonate Hydroxide, Cu2CO3(OH)2

Hardness: 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Color: Bright green, pale green to dark green. Luster: Adamantine, vitreous, greasy, or dull. Crystal Structure: Monoclinic, typically forming botryoidal, fibrous, or stalactitic masses. Cleavage: Perfect in one direction, good in another, but rarely seen.…

Hardness: 3
Color: Bright green, pale green to dark green
Luster: Adamantine, vitreous, greasy, or dull

Identified August 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms as a supergene mineral in the oxidation zone of copper ore deposits, frequently associated with azurite, cuprite, and native copper.

Uses & applications

Used extensively as an ornamental stone, for carvings, beads, and cabochons in jewelry, and historically as a green mineral pigment in paint.

Geological facts

Malachite has been mined for over 3,000 years, notably in the Great Orme in Wales and the Timna Valley in Israel. It is often found together with azurite, creating striking blue and green banded patterns.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its characteristic bright green color and effervescence when tested with dilute hydrochloric acid due to its carbonate content. Common in major copper-producing regions worldwide, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, Russia, and the southwestern United States.