🔍 Carbonate is a secondary mineral of copper, made up of basic copper carbonate.
It occurs in crystals, generally thin, gathered in tufts or rosettes; spreading in a massive or encrusting manner.
𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚: Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐳𝐳𝐚 (𝐌𝐨𝐡𝐬): 3½ - 4
𝐒𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐨: Monoclinic
𝐋𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐳𝐳𝐚: Sericea, Terrosa, Adamantina
⏳ The name malachite derives from the Greek μαλάχη, meaning "mallow", due to its green color. The oldest malachite mines, intended for the extraction of copper from it, date back to 4000 BC in the Sinai Peninsula and 1700 BC in Wales. Greeks and Romans wore malachite amulets as a symbol of protection from injury.
Throughout history it was widely used in painting (under the name 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘰), jewelry, sculpture and artistic decoration.
🧪 Malachite is formed following the supergenic alteration and oxidation of primary copper minerals. It is frequently associated with azurite, goethite and calcite. The green color is due to the presence of copper ions (Cu²⁺) in the malachite crystal lattice and to the action of ionizing radiation, which induce the formation of the color center: [CuO₄]²⁻.
🌎 The main deposits of malachite are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Australia, France, Arizona and above all in the Urals, where massive extraction has however caused its exhaustion. In Italy some smaller deposits are found on the Island of Elba and in a few regions of the North.
💬 The base of the football World Cup is made of malachite.
