Malachite
| Colour | Green |
|---|---|
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4 |
| Lustre | Adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive |
| Streak | light green |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Transparency | Translucent to opaque |
| Cleavage | Perfect on {{mset|01}} fair on |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal to uneven |
| Chemical formula | Cu 2 CO 3 (OH) 2 |
| Specific gravity | 3.6–4 |
What is Malachite?
Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, with the formula Cu2CO3(OH)2. This opaque, green-banded mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses, in fractures and deep, underground spaces, where the water table and hydrothermal fluids provide the means for chemical precipitation. Individual crystals are rare, but occur as slender to acicular prisms. Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.
How to identify Malachite
- Lustre: Adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive.
- Hardness: Mohs 3.5–4 — soft; a knife will scratch it.
- Streak: light green.
- Habit: Monoclinic crystal system.
Malachite value
Based on 100 recent eBay sold listings, a raw / cluster Malachite typically sells for $6–$12 (about $0.04–$0.13 per gram for raw material). After eBay fees a seller nets roughly $9 on a median piece.
| Recently sold | Weight | Sold | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.08LB Natural polyophthalmic malachite quartz crystal gloss mineral specimen | 2758 g | $12 | 2026-06-22 |
| 51G Natural Green Dioptase With Malachite Gemstone Cluster Mineral Specimen | 51 g | $7 | 2026-06-22 |
| 277G Natural VELVET Malachite cat's eye specimen crystal rough mineral-Congo | 277 g | $10 | 2026-06-22 |
| 8.19LB BEST Natural Azurite/Malachite crystal minerals specimens | 3715 g | $12 | 2026-06-21 |
| 20.60Cts 100%Natural ammazing Azurite Malachite Cushion Cab 20x27x3mm Top Gems | — | $10 | 2026-06-21 |
| 1.24LB Natural Chrysocolla/Malachite transparent cluster rough mineral sample | 562 g | $8 | 2026-06-21 |
Typical recently-sold prices, 2026-06. Condition, size and quality vary widely, so this is an estimate, not an appraisal. See current sold listings on eBay ↗. Full value guide · how we work this out.
