Description
This malachite is from the Katanga in the Katanga Copper Crescent in Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo. There are over 100 different mines and diggings in this area with 10 large operations. Local people mine in the closed locations for a long list of mineral specimens including secondary minerals such as malachite. It is a copper carbonate (Cu, C, H) that is found in the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. This specimen consist of a quartz matrix that host emerald malachite crystals. The crystals are small and have a sparkling luster. It measures 2 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 1 5/8 inches or 63 x 57 x 45 mm.