Malachite
Cu2(CO3)(OH)2IMA symbol: Mlcgrandfathered
Malachite is a carbonate or nitrate mineral with the formula Cu2(CO3)(OH)2, crystallizing in the monoclinic system. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5-4, typically green in color, with a dull or earthy luster, a specific gravity of 3.9-4.03. Its streak is green.
Photos
.jpg){kind=link}
Crystallography
| Crystal system | monoclinic crystal systemWikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Space group | P 1 21/a 1 |
| Cell (Å, °) | a = 9.502, b = 11.974, c = 3.24; α = 90, β = 98.75, γ = 90 |
| Cell volume | 364.3 ų, Z = 4 |
| Axial ratios | 0.7936:1:0.2706calculated from COD 5000043 |
| Source structure | COD 5000043 (Zeitschrift fuer Kristallographie, Kristallgeometrie, Kristallphysik, Kristallchemie (145,1977-148,1979), 1977) — 1 of 2 structures |
Powder X-ray diffraction (calculated)
| d (Å) | 2.856 | 3.695 | 5.048 | 5.987 | 2.778 | 2.524 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I/I₀ | 100 | 66.7 | 65.1 | 46.2 | 43.3 | 42.7 |
xrd-v1: CuKa1 1.5406A, 2theta 5-90, top10, Imax=100, no DW/PO. Computed from COD 5000043; idealized occupancies, no preferred orientation.
Physical properties
| Density (calculated) | 4.031 g/cm³calculated from COD 5000043 |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs) | 3.75single sourceWikidata (CC0) 3.5-4single sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Specific gravity | 3.9-4.03 g/cm3corroboratedDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Color | greensingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Streak | greensingle sourceWikidata (CC0) greensingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
| Luster | dull, earthy, silky, vitreoussingle sourceDana, System of Mineralogy, 6th ed. (1892) |
Chemistry (calculated)
| Molecular weight | 221.12 g/molcalculated from the IMA formula |
|---|---|
| Composition (wt%) | Cu 57.48%, C 5.43%, O 36.18%, H 0.91% |
Classification
| Nickel-Strunz (10th) | 5.BA.10Wikidata (CC0) |
|---|---|
| Nickel-Strunz (9th) | 5.BA.10Wikidata (CC0) |
| Dana (8th) | 16a.3.1.1Wikidata (CC0) |