Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral. This is an opaque, green banded mineral in the mono clinic crystal system. The mineral was given this name due to its resemblance to the leaves of the Mallow plant.

Malachite may be bright green, dark green or blackish green and appear green to yellow green in transmitted light. Has a silky luster if fibrous and dull earthy luster if it is massive. Hardness on Moh’s scale is 3.5 to 4. Light green streaks are common. It may very from translucent to opaque.

Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. It was also used for decorative purposes.

Archaeological evidence indicates that this mineral has been mined and smelted for over 3,000 years in Israel. Since then, malachite has been used as both an ornamental stone and as a gemstone.
Large quantities of malachite have been mined in the Russia, Congo, Zambia, Namibia, Mexico, New South Wales, France Arizona and Israel.