Azurite Vs. Malachite

Azurite is a popular mineral composed of copper carbonate.^[1] Malachite is a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is also copper carbonate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Azurite and Malachite

For a quick recap of the differences azurite and malachite:

• While both azurite and malachite can be opaque or translucent, azurite can be transparent.
• For chemical formulas, azurite is Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 while malachite is Cu2CO3(OH)2.
• While both azurite and malachite can be dull or vitreous, in terms of luster, malachite can be adamantine or silky.
• Azurite streaks blue or light blue while malachite streaks green or light green.
• Azurite can be commonly blue while malachite can be commonly green.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Azurite and Malachite

The similarities of azurite and malachite include:

• In terms of crystallography, azurite and malachite both are monoclinic.
• Azurite's rarity is similar to malachite.
• Azurite's hardness overlaps with malachite - azurite ranges from 3.5 to 4 and malachite ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 on the Moh's scale.
• Azurite's specific gravity overlaps with malachite - azurite is 3.77 and malachite ranges from 3.6 to 4.05.

Summary of Azurite

Azurite is a beautiful blue mineral that is commonly found in copper mines. It is a copper carbonate mineral that has a deep blue color and is often found with other copper minerals such as malachite. Azurite is a soft mineral with a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4 and a specific gravity of 3.77 to 3.89. It has a bright blue streak and a vitreous to dull luster. Azurite is often confused with lapis lazuli, which is a rock composed of several minerals including lazurite, but azurite is a distinct mineral with its own unique properties.

Summary of Malachite

Malachite is a mineral that is known for its beautiful green color. It is a secondary mineral that forms as a result of the weathering and oxidation of copper minerals. Malachite is typically found in copper deposits and is often associated with azurite, another copper mineral. It is commonly found in Africa, Russia, and Australia.

Table Comparison of Azurite vs Malachite