Malachite

Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral with the chemical formula Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂. It often forms through the weathering of copper ores and is commonly associated with other copper-rich minerals like azurite, cuprite, and chalcopyrite. It typically forms in the oxidation zones of copper deposits through the chemical alteration of copper sulfides or other copper compounds in the presence of carbonated water and oxygen. This process leads to the creation of malachmalachite'scteristic bright green color. Malachite has a Mohs hardness of about 3.5 to 4, which makes it relatively soft for a gemstone. It has a glassy to silky luster, and its known for its opaque transparency and intense green color, which can range from light green to almost black. Significant sources of malachite include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Russia, Mexico, and Australia. The Democratic Republic of Congo, in particular, is known for producing some of the most striking and large specimens of malachite in the world.