Malachite (Carbonates)

Malachite hydrous copper carbonate Cu2CO3(OH)2
botryoidal malachite, polished

Diagnostic properties:

Color: bright green.
Streak: pale green.
Hardness: 3.5 to 4.
Specific Gravity: 3.9 to 4.03.
Luster: adamantine to vitreous in crystals; silky in fibrous varieties; dull in earthy varieties.
Cleavage: perfect on one plane, but rarely seen.
Transparency: translucent.
Occurrence: common.
Crystal system: monoclinic.
Uses: a valuable ornamental stone; also a minor ore of copper.
Name: from the Greek word for mallows, in allusion to its green color.

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