Description
This malachite is from Kolwezi in the Kolwezi Mining District, Lualaba, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dozens of mines were located in the district and they were operated primarily for the recovery copper and other metallic ores. Many are now mined for the recovery of mineral specimens like this malachite. Malachite (Cu, C, O, H) is a copper carbonate and secondary ore found in the mines. It can be found in a variety of forms including crystalline. This specimen is a plate-like formation of fibrous or elongated crystals. They have a velvet-like appearance and a sparkling chatoyant luster that varies with the orientation to the light source. This piece measures 4 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 1 inches or 114 x 88 x 25 mm.
