Malaquita Pseudomorfa tras Azurita
Malaquita is a mineral with formula Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Azurite Workings (Kerrouchen), Caïdat de Kerrouchen, Khénifra, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2004.
Description
Biterminated floater with a stalactitic habit, elongated and narrow. Formed by a very dense aggregation of acicular microcrystals, with a fine fibrous texture and a uniform, slightly velvety surface. Deep green color with gentle variations along the growth axis.
History of this specimen
With its own entry on FMF https://www.foro-minerales.com/forum/download.php?id=112185
About Malaquita
Malachite is the less carbonated term of the malachite-azurite pair. At Kerrouchene it is notable for its pseudomorphs after azurite: the mineral changes, but the specimen preserves the silhouette of the previous crystal. This happens because, at the surface, azurite can lose CO₂ easily: water circulates, the system remains open, and that dissolved CO₂ escapes without being reincorporated. Under those conditions, malachite is more stable, so the azurite reorganizes and transforms into it. The reverse process does not usually occur naturally.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0380
- Composition
- Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)₂
- Name
- Malaquita
- Variety
- Pseudomorfa tras Azurita
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Estélites
- Mine
- Azurite Workings (Kerrouchen)
- District / Municipality
- Caïdat de Kerrouchen
- Province
- Khénifra
- Region
- Béni Mellal-Khénifra
- Country
- Marruecos
- Size (cm)
- 5 x 0.8 x 0.8
- Weight
- 4.3 g
- Acquired
- 2004
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- From the Greek «malache», alluding to mallow, because of its green color.
- Quality
- Notable
- Value trend
- Estable
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