Malachite (''Primary'' Malachite)

Item Description

A fine quality and eye-catching specimen of what is sometimes referred to as "Primary" Malachite from the famous Mashamba West Mine. This material is much harder to find on the market now as opposed to 10+ years ago, and pieces of this quality are certainly few and far between. This specimen hosts fine quality, velvety/chatoyant forest-green radial groups comprising actual crystals (!) of Malachite forming an aesthetic display piece. As mentioned before, you sometimes see this material labeled as "Primary Malachite" often on the market, but this is a somewhat misleading term. Malachite forms as the result of the alteration of another mineral, so it's not deposited in a primary sense like other species. Even though actual crystals of Malachite exist in the world, they are still derived from another copper bearing species, whether it be a sulfide like Chalcopyrite or another carbonate like Azurite. With that said, people will see this material labeled as "primary" and potentially make the wrong assumption about how it formed, but it has become the common term used to describe any kind of Malachite that shows acicular / "needle"-like growth or full-blown crystallization where no other species are present. If you collect secondary ore minerals, worldwide Malachite or specifically pieces from the Mashamba West do not miss out on this showy and attractive display specimen. Valued $900.