3.6" Fibrous Malachite on Sparkling Blue Azurite - China

Azurite and malachite often form in union with each other, since their chemical makeup is very similar. In fact, the presence of more or less water in the location of formation is enough to determine whether an abundance of malachite over azurite, or vice-versa, will accumulate.

These minerals tend to be found near copper deposits, which accounts for the colors the minerals display. This association of azurite and malachite on copper rich, iron oxide matrix was found in the Liufengshan mine.