Specimen at a glance
| Mineral | Conichalcite with malachite and azurite |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | CaCu(AsO4)(OH) + copper carbonates |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4.5 |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic (conichalcite) |
| Locality | Laurion, Attica, Greece |
| You receive | The exact specimen pictured |
About this specimen
A striking small-cabinet mineral specimen featuring vivid blue azurite intergrown with green malachite, two copper carbonate minerals that almost always occur together in nature. Azurite and malachite form in the oxidized (weathered) zones of copper ore deposits, where copper-bearing fluids react with carbonate minerals near the earth’s surface — azurite crystallizes first in its deep blue form, and over time gradually alters to the more chemically stable green malachite, which is why the two are so often found intergrown or in transitional patches on the same piece.
This specimen shows several vivid blue-and-green botryoidal (grape-like) crusts across a handful of individual rock fragments, with saturated color that needs no enhancement or treatment. A smaller reddish-brown piece in the lot shows a more iron-oxide-rich weathering pattern, offering a nice contrast alongside the more classic blue-green material.
A wonderful specimen for anyone building out a systematic mineral collection or simply drawn to the vivid, almost unreal blue-green color combination these two copper minerals are famous for.
Conichalcite and malachite: the science
- Conichalcite contains arsenic, so specimens should be handled with care and never licked or used in water.
- Laurion was mined for silver in antiquity; its ancient workings and slags are now known for hundreds of mineral species.
- Malachite and azurite are both copper carbonates and commonly form together as copper ore weathers.
Go deeper
Want the full story on conichalcite and malachite: how it forms, how to identify it, and what makes a great specimen?
Questions about this piece
What is conichalcite and malachite?
This lot pairs green conichalcite, a copper arsenate, with the copper carbonates malachite and azurite from the historic Laurion mining district of Greece.
Where was it found?
This piece comes from Laurion, Attica, Greece. We list a locality whenever it is known, because where a mineral formed is part of its story and its value.
How hard is it, and how should I care for it?
It rates 3.5–4.5 on the Mohs scale. Contains arsenic. Handle with clean dry hands, wash hands afterward, keep away from children and pets, and never soak or ingest. Dust only.
Is this the exact piece I will receive?
Yes. This listing was photographed individually, and you receive the exact piece shown in the photos.
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