Mammillary Malachite

Malachite generally occurs in botryoidal or stalactitic masses with a typical emerald-green colour. A rather brittle mineral, it breaks into blocks. It reacts to dilute hydrochloric acid with strong effervescence and melts rather easily.

It originates mainly in the alteration and oxidation zones of copper deposits and is often associated with azurite.

It is used in jewellery and as an ornamental stone. Being moreover an excellent copper ore, it is often used for industrial, scientific and collecting purposes.