Fabulous Azurite with Malachite
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| Fabulous Azurite with Malachite From France. Photo: Chollet Pascal |
Azurite often occurs with green Malachite, which may form green stains or specks on Azurite crystals or aggregates. The two minerals sometimes occur admixed or banded together, forming what is called “Azure-malachite” in the gem and mineral trades.
Formula: Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂
System: Monoclinic
Colour: Bright green, with ...
Hardness: 3½ - 4
Streak: Light green
From Chessy copper mines, Chessy-les-Mines, Le Bois d'Oingt, Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
Malachite is a green, very common secondary copper mineral with a widely variable habit. Typically it is found as crystalline aggregates or crusts, often banded in appearence, like agates. It is also often found as botryoidal clusters of radiating crystals, and as mammillary aggregates as well.
Malachite often results from the supergene weathering and oxidation of primary sulfidic copper ores, and is often found with azurite, goethite, and calcite. Except for its vibrant green color, the properties of malachite are similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals occur frequently. Malachite is more common than azurite and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestones, the source of the carbonate.
Malachite often results from the supergene weathering and oxidation of primary sulfidic copper ores, and is often found with azurite, goethite, and calcite. Except for its vibrant green color, the properties of malachite are similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals occur frequently. Malachite is more common than azurite and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestones, the source of the carbonate.