Malachite - Stockfoto

The distinctive sight of malachite staining on a boulder is an encouraging sign for an exploration geologist that copper ore maybe contained within the rock strata. Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral. Malachite usually results from weathering of copper ores and is often found together with azurite, goethite, and calcite. Except for its vibrant green color, the properties of malachite are similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals occur frequently. Malachite is more common than azurite and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestones, the source of the carbonate. Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. Malachite has also been used as both an ornamental stone and as a gemstone.