Malaquita Botrioidal
Malaquita is a mineral with formula Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Jbel Laassel, Bleida Mines, Zagora, Drâa-Tafilalet, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Globular aggregates of intense green malachite lining a vug.
History of this specimen
This was my first piece bought from Burillo. This is already at another level of the collection. It shows. It changes my experience and my focus.
About Malaquita
Malachite is a secondary copper carbonate, typical of the oxidised zone of hydrothermal deposits. Its colour and botryoidal texture make it highly prized by collectors.
About the locality
The Zagora district hosts several deposits associated with copper-bearing veins in a desert setting. The Bleida Mines have been intermittent in production and are known for scarce but very aesthetic specimens.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0097
- Composition
- Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
- Name
- Malaquita
- Variety
- Botrioidal
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Cavella
- Matrix
- Matriz limonítica
- Associations
- Limonita
- Mine
- Jbel Laassel
- District / Municipality
- Bleida Mines
- Province
- Zagora
- Region
- Drâa-Tafilalet
- Country
- Marruecos
- Size (cm)
- 5 x 4.1 x 6.1
- Weight
- 139.3 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From the Greek "malache", an ancient name for the mineral, for its green colour resembling the leaves of the mallow.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Al alza
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Acantita (Paramórfica tras Argentita) — Marruecos
- Andersonita — España
- Andradita (Melanita) — Marruecos
- Apatito — Marruecos
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul (Toralina)) — España
- Aragonito — Italia