2.8" Azurite and Malachite Association on Barite - Morocco

This 2.8" wide specimen features a druze of azurite that formed in association with malachite, collected from morocco. The azurite and malachite formed over pre-existing bladed barite crystals.

Azurite and malachite are known to form in union with each other since their chemical makeup is very similar. In fact, the presence of more or less water in the location of formation is enough to determine whether an abundance of malachite over azurite, or vise-versa, will accumulate.

These minerals tend to be found near copper deposits, which accounts for the colors the minerals display. This association of azurite and malachite on copper rich, iron oxide matrix was found near M'Cissi, Alnif, Tinghir Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco.

Malachite is an intense green copper-based mineral that can be found in a wide variety of forms. Malachite can grow in botryoidal masses, stalactitic formations, and reniform formations, typically as a tight cluster of fanning fibrous needles that make up a seemingly solid mass. As layers continue to stack during formation, banded patterns can sometimes begin to take shape, explaining the rings in all shades of green seen on most polished malachite specimens.

Malachite results from the weathering of other copper ores, and is very often found associated with other copper-based minerals such as azurite and chrysocolla. It can be found in copper deposits around the world, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary source for polished malachite and mineral specimens.

Malachite has been prized since ancient times, first as a utilitarian copper ore, then as an ornamental stone. Due to its value as a decorative stone, it is rarely mined as a copper ore anymore.

Barite, commonly spelled baryte, is well-known for its great range of colors and varied crystal forms and habits. = It is a heavy mineral consisting of barium sulfate, and typically has the chemical formula of BaSO4. The barite group consists of baryte, celestine, anglesite, and anhydrite. It is generally white to colorless and is the main source of barium.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Azurite, Malachite & Barite
LOCATION
Morocco
SIZE
2.8 x 2.8"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#159315