Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
 malachite

Chemical Group:    carbonate

Chemical Formula:    CuCO3.Cu(OH)2

Color: bright green                   Streak:  pale green

 

Hardness: 3.5 to 4         Specific Gravity:  3.9 to 4.03 

Transparency:  translucent to opaque               

Fracture:  subconchoidal to uneven              Luster:  adamantine to vitreous

Cleavage:  2 directions

 

Crystal Forms and Habits:  Monoclinic system
     Crystals are usually acicular.
     Malachite occurs in many habits:  botryoidal, encrusting, stalactitic, fibrous, granular

Mineral Associations: often occurs with azurite, chrysocolla, cuprite

Identifying Characteristics: rich green color

Uses: copper ore, jewelry, paint pigment

Occurrences:  Bisbee, Arizona and Africa 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- high       when inhaled- moderate

Additional Information: