3.2" Fibrous Malachite on Ferroan Dolomite - Morocco

This colorful specimen contains deep green, fibrous malachite crystals on a bed of dark purplish ferroan dolomite. A few crystals of galena are also embedded in the dolomite.

It comes with an acrylic display stand.

About Malachite

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.

About Galena

Galena is a lead-based mineral and the primary ore of lead, and has been used for its lead content for thousands of years. Galena typically displays a gray metallic luster and forms cubes or octahedral crystals. The chemical composition of galena is PbS.

While galena will not pose a health hazard by sitting on the shelf or even from casual handling, we suggest washing hands following handling due to the mineral's lead content.

FOR SALE
$15
DETAILS
SPECIES
Malachite & Dolomite
LOCATION
Bou Bekker, Touissit, Morocco
SIZE
3.2 x 2.3"
CATEGORY
ITEM
#256541