Properties of Malachite

Malachite is a green mineral that is primarily composed of copper(II) carbonate hydroxide. It is renowned for its striking green color and unique banded patterns. Malachite is often used as a gemstone in jewelry and ornamental carvings due to its attractive appearance.

Image of malachite mineral
Credit: Rob Lavinsky, iRocks.com - CC-BY-SA-3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The following table provides a comprehensive list of malachite properties in both SI and US customary/Imperial units at normal temperature and pressure (NTP).

Note: click on the icon to switch between Metric and Imperial units.

Table of Malachite Properties
Physical Properties
Metric
Chemical FormulaCu2CO3(OH)2
Molar Mass221.116 g/mol
Crystal SystemMonoclinic
Mohs Hardness3.5 - 4
Density3700 - 4000 kg/m3
ColorBright green or blackish green
DiaphaneityTranslucent to subtranslucent to opaque
LusterVitreous, silky, earthy, or adamantine
Cleavage[201] perfect, [010] fair
FractureUneven or subconchoidal
StreakPale green

Note: unless stated otherwise, all values are taken at room temperature (approximately 20°C or 68°F) and 1 atm pressure. (1 atm = 101,325 Pa)

Related Pages
References: 1) Cardarelli, François. Materials Handbook: A Concise Desktop Reference. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing, 2018. 2) CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 97th Edition. United Kingdom: CRC Press, 2016-2017.