mineral
Malachite
Copper Carbonate Hydroxide, Cu2CO3(OH)2
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, vibrant green color with distinctive banding patterns, vitreous to silky luster, and monoclinic crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale, vibrant green color with distinctive banding patterns, vitreous to silky luster, and monoclinic crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms in the oxidation zone of copper deposits through the alteration of primary copper minerals.
Uses & applications
Widely used as an ornamental gemstone for jewelry, carvings, and decorative inlays.
Geological facts
Ancient civilizations used malachite as a pigment for eye shadow and wall paintings, and ground it into powder for amulets.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic green concentric banding and effervescence when tested with hydrochloric acid.
