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
Source: MM Gerdau - Museu das Minas e do Metal -