Malacola
Vibrant blue and green swirled 'Malacola' from the D R Congo
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Malachite and Chrysocolla develop as secondary copper minerals through weathering and oxidation of primary copper-bearing minerals. The specific conditions such as the availability of copper ions, carbonates, silicates and aluminium ions, determine the formation of these minerals.
💚Malacola is considered to be a balancing stone that helps harmonise energies. It is believed to bring a sense of calm and equilibrium, making it easier to navigate life’s ups and downs.
Mindat information:
Chrysocolla:
Formula:
Cu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
Colour:
Green, bluish green, blue, blackish blue to black, or brown and rarely yellow
Lustre:
Vitreous, Waxy, Earthy
Hardness:
2½ - 3½
Specific Gravity:
1.93 - 2.4
Crystal System:
Orthorhombic
Name:
The name was first used by Theophrastus in 315 B.C. and comes from the Greek "chrysos", meaning "gold," and "kolla", meaning "glue," in allusion to the name of the material used to solder gold. André-Jean-François-Marie Brochant de Villiers revived the name in 1808.
A mineral of secondary origin, commonly associated with other secondary copper minerals, it is typically found as glassy botryoidal or rounded masses or bubbly crusts, and as vein fillings. Any acicular or fibrous chrysocolla "crystals" are all pseudomorphs.
Malachite Formula:
Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
Colour:
Bright green, with crystals deeper shades of green, even very dark to nearly black; green to yellowish green in transmitted light.
Lustre:
Silky, Earthy
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.6 - 4.05
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Member of:
Name:
Named in antiquity (see Pliny the Elder, 79 CE) molochitus after the Greek μαλαχή, "mallows," in allusion to the green color of the leaves. Known in the new spelling, malachites, at least by 1661.
Malachite is a green, very common secondary copper mineral with a widely variable habit. Typically it is found as crystalline aggregates or crusts, often banded in appearance, like agates. It is also often found as botryoidal clusters of radiating crystals, and as mammillary aggregates as well. Single crystals and clusters of distinguishable crystals are uncommon, but when found they are typically acicular to prismatic. It is also frequently found as a pseudomorph after Azurite crystals, which are generally more tabular in shape.
The Cu analogue of chukanovite. Structurally related to the Rosasite Group.
The Cu analogue of chukanovite. Structurally related to the Rosasite Group.