Malachite

UNB-2017-0123Minerals » Carbonates

Description

Four samples in total, one is missing. The largest sample is dark green incrusting Malachite with an adamantine lustre. The second largest sample is grass-green botryoidal Malachite with a silky lustre. The third sample is grass-green stalactitic Malachite with a silky lustre. Malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2) can be emerald-green, grass-green or dark in green in colour. Lustre can be adamantine, silky or dull and streak is light green. Hardness is 3 1/2 to 4 and cleavage is perfect in one direction crosswise. Malachite usually occurs as radial, fibrous, botryoidal, stalactitic, incrusting or earthy form. Malachite can also occurs as crystals (rare) and be long or short prismatic forms.

Specifications

Object nameMalachite
IDUNB-2017-0123
Legal statusPermanent collection
CategoryMineral
Classification
Mineral group:
Carbonates
Composition
  • CO₃²⁻
OriginRepublic of Congo
Pieces4
PartialNo
Measurements
  • 12cm x 8cm x 3cm
  • 7cm x 6cm x 5cm
  • 12cm x 7cm x 2.5cm
  • 8cm x 8cm x 5cm

Map of Origin

Publications

  • Chesterman, C.W. 1979. Audubon Society, Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals. Knopf.