Mineral Species: Malachite after Calcite
Chemical Formula: Cu2CO3(OH)2
Chemical Name: Copper Carbonate Hydroxide
Mineral Class: Carbonate
Mineral Notes: Malachite is a well known and popular semi-precious stone and is named after the Greek word for "mallow", a green herb. The banded light and dark green designs give it a unique ornamental quality unlike that of any other stone. The bands and colour are so distinctive that Malachite is one of the most easily recognised minerals by the general public.
Description: This is an interesting little curiosity where Malachite has replaced crystals of Calcite. Consequently the Malchite psudomorph has adopted the crystal structure of the Calcite, forming two fused rhombohedra. Otherwise, Malachite never forms this crystal habit on its own. The colour is a grey-green associated with a vitrous lustre.
