3.2" Malachite, Rosasite, Selenite and Dolomite Association - Morocco

This colorful specimen contains blue-green colored rosasite and malachite crystals, enshrouded in a thin layer of transparent selenite crystal. All of which sit on a bed of reddish brown ferroan dolomite which itself is coated in selenite, leaving the specimen with an appealing sparkle.

Rosasite is a secondary mineral that forms in oxidation zones of copper-zinc deposits, generally forming a fibrous botryoidal sphere that can appear vitreous and silky. While typically featuring a blue-green color, colorless specimens are not unheard of. The chemical formula of rosasite is CuZnCO3(OH)2.

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.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Malachite, Rosasite, Selenite & Dolomite
LOCATION
Bou Bekker, Touissit, Morocco.
SIZE
3.2" long, 1.7" wide
CATEGORY
ITEM
#57363