;

Malachite

Chemical Formula

Cu2CO3(OH)2

Chemical Class

Carbonates

Properties

Malachite is a basic copper carbonate, from monoclinic system, in botryoidal or stalactite mass, green, frequently with parallel strips of different shades. It can be azurite pseudomorph. Crystals have adamantine to vitreous gloss.

Origin

This sample is from Shaba (Congo Republic).

Curiosities

Malachite and azurite association generates samples that are astonishingly beautiful, known in the gemstone world as ‘azurmalachites’.

Use

Malachite is a copper ore, and thus it is used in electric, electronic and metal alloy industries. Malachite photo credit: Henry Yu

ABC of mining