Malachite

Q: What is Malachite?

孔雀石是铜的碱式碳酸盐矿物，化学式为Cu2CO3(OH)2，以其鲜艳的翠绿色和特征性的同心带状或放射状纹理著称。孔雀石是最古老的装饰用宝石之一，古埃及人4000年前就已将其用于首饰和护身符，研磨成粉末用作绿色颜料（曾是文艺复兴前最重要的绿色颜料）。孔雀石通常与蓝铜矿共生，两者混合形成的宝石称为蓝孔雀石，颜色更为丰富。主要宝石级产地包括刚果民主共和国、赞比亚、俄罗斯（乌拉尔）和澳大利亚。摩氏硬度仅3.5至4，怕酸，日常佩戴需小心护理。

Q: What is the hardness of Malachite?

Malachite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4.0, making it relatively soft for use in jewelry.

Q: How much does Malachite cost?

Malachite falls into the Budget (< $50/ct) price range. Prices vary based on color, clarity, cut, and origin.

Q: What is the crystal system of Malachite?

Malachite belongs to the Monoclinic crystal system.

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Distinguished by vivid emerald-to-grass-green color arranged in concentric bands and radiating fibers, malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide whose alternating light and dark zones make it instantly recognizable. It forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper deposits, with spectacular ornamental material quarried from the Ural Mountains of Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Arizona. Crystallizing in the monoclinic system, it is soft at 3.5 to 4.0 on the Mohs scale. Used as both gemstone and pigment since at least 3000 BCE, this budget-tier semi-precious stone is fashioned into cabochons, beads, carvings, and decorative architectural panels.

Physical & Optical Properties

Category Semi-Precious Gems

Mohs Hardness 3.5 – 4.0

Specific Gravity 3.25 – 4.1

Refractive Index 1.655 – 1.909

Crystal System Monoclinic

Luster Vitreous,Silky,Dull (Earthy)

Cleavage Perfect

Fracture Conchoidal,Splintery

Color green

Birefringence 0.25

Pleochroism Absent

Mohs Hardness

Mohs hardness of Malachite shown against the ten reference minerals, from talc (1) to diamond (10).

Mohs	Reference mineral	Malachite
1	Talc
2	Gypsum
3	Calcite
4	Fluorite	●
5	Apatite
6	Orthoclase
7	Quartz
8	Topaz
9	Corundum
10	Diamond

Crystal System

Value & Market

Price Tier Budget (< $50/ct)

Where to Buy Malachite

Blue Nile Fine jewelry retailer

James Allen Gemstone jewelry

Brilliant Earth Ethically sourced gems

Amazon Wide selection

Links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Treatments

3.5 to 4Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references 3.25 to 4.10Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references PerfectWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Conchoidal,SplinteryArthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) Sensitive to heat and hot waters.Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) 1.655 to 1.909Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) BlinkingMore from other references Biaxial/-Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references 0.250 to 0.254Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references AbsentWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references NoneWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) More from other references Deep saturated green and show characteristic bandingMichael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) More from other references Green, Cu2+ in octahedral coordinationW. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011) OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Vitreous,Silky,Dull (Earthy)Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009) NoneWalter Schumann, Gemstones of the world (2001) MonoclinicHerve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) More from other references Aggregates of radial fibres with botryoidal forms or stalactitic/stalacmitic structureUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004) More from other references Malachite occurs as a common secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of copper ore deposits and can be an ore of copper.Michael O?Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006) Often intergrown with azurite, turquoise, chrysocolla - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 4 Malachite information at mindat.org DR Congo  Namibia  Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 426 Peru  J.Hyrsl (2012) Gemstones of Peru, p. 55 Russia  Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 426 USA  Galbraith, F.W. & D.J. Brennan (1959), Minerals of AZ: 37.

About Malachite

孔雀石是铜的碱式碳酸盐矿物，化学式为Cu2CO3(OH)2，以其鲜艳的翠绿色和特征性的同心带状或放射状纹理著称。孔雀石是最古老的装饰用宝石之一，古埃及人4000年前就已将其用于首饰和护身符，研磨成粉末用作绿色颜料（曾是文艺复兴前最重要的绿色颜料）。孔雀石通常与蓝铜矿共生，两者混合形成的宝石称为蓝孔雀石，颜色更为丰富。主要宝石级产地包括刚果民主共和国、赞比亚、俄罗斯（乌拉尔）和澳大利亚。摩氏硬度仅3.5至4，怕酸，日常佩戴需小心护理。