Malachite
Species
Uncommon · Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
A secondary copper carbonate formed by the weathering of copper ore deposits. Its concentric green bands record its growth, layer upon layer. It often replaces azurite, keeping the blue mineral's crystal shapes.
Identity
- Formula
- Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
- Chemical class
- Carbonate
- Also known as
- Green copper ore, Mountain green (archaic)
- Ore of
- Copper
- Used in alchemy
- Malachite Powder
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Habits
- Botryoidal, Massive, Fibrous, Stalactitic
- Fracture
- Subconchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.05 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous, Silky, Earthy
- Colors
- green, dark green, pale green, banded green
- Streak
- pale green
- Transparency
- Opaque, Translucent
Geology
- Origins
- Sedimentary
- Host rocks
- Limestone and chalk
- Associated minerals
- Azurite, Cuprite, Chrysocolla, Cerussite, Calcite
- Found in
- Oxidized zone (gossan)
- Geography
- Democratic Republic of Congo, Russia, Namibia, Australia, USA, France
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- Earth, Life
- Effects
- Warding, Healing
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- Malachite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Malachite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- Malachite. Gemdat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
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