Facts about Malachite
The name malachite derives (via Latin and French) from the Greek word molochitis, meaning "mallow-green stone."
Except for the vibrant green color, the properties of malachite are very similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals together are frequently found, although malachite is more common than azurite.
Chemically, malachite is called copper(II) carbonate hydroxide, with the formula Cu2CO3(OH)2.
Malachite crystals atop blue azurite, with brown cuprite on the white kaolinite.
Large quantities of malachite have been mined in the Ural mountains of Russia.
Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800.
Malachite often results from weathering of copper ores and is often found together with azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2), goethite, and calcite.