Malachite

A polished sample of malachite showing off its color and patterns.

Malachite is a mineral known for its green colour. It is the mineral form of basic copper carbonate, with the chemical formula Cu
2CO
3(OH)
2. Malachite has been used as a pigment, for construction and decoration, and as an ore of copper.

It is related to azurite, another colourful copper carbonate ore. It also looks very similar to annabergite, which is a nickel ore. Miners confusing malachite and annabergite is what led to the discovery and name of nickel.

Malachite Media

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  The entrance to the Neolithic era malachite mine complex on the Great Orme, Wales

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  Malachite in the walls of Outokumpu's old mine.

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  The funerary mask of the Red Queen of Palenque is made from a mosaic of malachite.

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  Natural copper nugget, 44 grams. Original size in cm: 1 x 2.5 x 3.5

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  View along c axis of the crystal structure of malachite

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  View along a axis of malachite crystal structure

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  View along b axis of malachite crystal structure

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  Unit cell of malachite

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  Formula unit and its coordination environment

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  Coordination environment of copper #1