{"title":"Malachite","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalachite\u003c\/strong\u003e is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral (Cu2CO3(OH)2) prized for its saturated green color and hypnotic banded patterns. It forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper deposits, typically alongside \u003cstrong\u003eazurite\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003echrysocolla\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003ecuprite\u003c\/strong\u003e. Individual crystals are rare — most malachite grows as botryoidal crusts, stalactites, fibrous sprays, or as striking pseudomorphs after tabular \u003cstrong\u003eazurite\u003c\/strong\u003e crystals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe classic source is the \u003cstrong\u003eKatanga Copperbelt\u003c\/strong\u003e of the Democratic Republic of Congo, where mines such as \u003cstrong\u003eKolwezi\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eL'Etoile du Congo\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eMashamba West\u003c\/strong\u003e produce huge, richly banded stalactitic masses and velvety botryoidal specimens. Historically, the \u003cstrong\u003eUral Mountains\u003c\/strong\u003e of Russia — especially the \u003cstrong\u003eMednorudyansk\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eGumeshevsk\u003c\/strong\u003e mines near Nizhny Tagil — supplied the multi-ton boulders used for the Tsar's malachite rooms, though that source is now exhausted. For exceptional crystallized pieces, collectors seek pseudomorphs after azurite from \u003cstrong\u003eTsumeb\u003c\/strong\u003e in Namibia, \u003cstrong\u003eBisbee\u003c\/strong\u003e in Arizona, and the modern classic locality of \u003cstrong\u003eMilpillas Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in Sonora, Mexico, plus stalactitic material from the \u003cstrong\u003eShilu Mine\u003c\/strong\u003e in China's Guangdong Province.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCollectors value malachite for its extraordinary range of habits — from sparkling druzy crusts to silky fibrous sprays and museum-scale stalactite sections showing concentric bull's-eye banding. Its color, derived from \u003cstrong\u003ecopper\u003c\/strong\u003e, and its close association with azurite make it a cornerstone species for copper-mineral collections and a perennial favorite among both systematic mineralogists and lapidary artists.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"lz-geode-malachite-0","title":"MALACHITE – Large BOTRYOIDAL Green Geode from Congo – Aesthetic Specimen","description":"\u003cp\u003eLarge natural Malachite specimen with intense green botryoidal formations and strong aesthetic impact. The piece shows dense microcrystalline surfaces with vivid emerald coloration and a well-preserved structure with no damage. Highly decorative and visually striking, suitable for mineral collections and interior display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"617\" data-end=\"634\"\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"635\" data-end=\"650\"\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 202 × 171 × 104 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"670\" data-end=\"681\"\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.383 kg\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"691\" data-end=\"706\"\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e L’Étoile du Congo Mine, Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, DR Congo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44313726713965,"sku":null,"price":649.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/IMG20260331182752.jpg?v=1776752854"},{"product_id":"mun2025-crisocolla-drcongo-1","title":"CHRYSOCOLLA – Candy-Like Blue Botryoidal Crystals on Malachite, Congo","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eNatural Chrysocolla on Malachite from the Star Mine (L'Etoile du Congo), Lubumbashi, DR Congo — the classic locality for this vivid blue-on-green botryoidal combination. Intense sky-blue chrysocolla forms smooth, glossy, candy-like rounded crystals over green malachite, creating a striking natural color contrast. The mine is reported to be largely worked out, making consistent new material increasingly scarce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMineral Data:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 65 × 35 × 28 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 85 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Star Mine (L'Etoile du Congo), Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ITALMINERAL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45453418233965,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0693\/8027\/6333\/files\/IMG20260309222922.jpg?v=1783934881"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.italmineral.com\/collections\/malachite.oembed","provider":"ITALMINERAL","version":"1.0","type":"link"}