mineral
Malachite
Malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2)
Hardness: 3.5 to 4.0 on Mohs scale. Color: Bright green, dark green, or blackish green. Luster: Vitreous to silky or dull. Crystal structure: Monoclinic, often fibrous or banded. Specific gravity: 3.6 to 4.0.
- Hardness
- 3
- Color
- Bright green, dark green, or blackish green
- Luster
- Vitreous to silky or dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 3.5 to 4.0 on Mohs scale. Color: Bright green, dark green, or blackish green. Luster: Vitreous to silky or dull. Crystal structure: Monoclinic, often fibrous or banded. Specific gravity: 3.6 to 4.0.
Formation & geological history
Formed as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of copper ore deposits. It precipitates from carbonated water reacting with copper minerals.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry, lapidary arts, ornaments, and pigments. Historically, it was an important ore of copper.
Geological facts
The banded pattern in malachite is unique and resembles concentric rings or 'eyes'. The famous Malachite Room in the Hermitage Museum contains massive columns and urns made from this mineral.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its distinctive bright green color and characteristic concentric banding. Common locations include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia (Urals), Namibia, and the Southwestern USA.
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