24 June 2022

Malachite and dioptase


Malachite is a green, very common secondary copper mineral with a widely variable habit. Typically it is found as crystalline aggregates or crusts, often banded in appearance, like agates. It is also often found as botryoidal clusters of radiating crystals, and as mammillary aggregates as well.

Dioptase from the Tantara Mine, Kakounde, Likasi, Shaba Congo D.R.
Both images from Geology in (here and here), where there are lots more neat specimens.


3 comments:

  1. At the link,"Primary Malachite forms an intriguing specimen of stalactites of fibrous crystals, with rounded tops." I was under the impression that "When the mites go up and tites go down". The display is sitting on a table but still might have be found on a cave roof. But wouldn't that be rounded bottoms. I probably sound pedantic but I was trying to figure out how this was formed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you, and I've amended the title accordingly.

      Delete
  2. You are a bad person sharing that rock porn. I think I’m going to lose several hours of my life today, sigh. Yes, I’m a little (read a lot) rock crazy!

    ReplyDelete

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