Chalcocite Vs. Malachite

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

Quick Facts on Differences of Chalcocite and Malachite

For a quick recap of the differences chalcocite and malachite:

• While both chalcocite and malachite is opaque, malachite can be translucent.
• In terms of crystallography, chalcocite is orthorhombic while malachite is monoclinic.
• For chemical formulas, chalcocite is Cu2S while malachite is Cu2CO3(OH)2.
• In terms of luster, chalcocite is metallic while malachite can be adamantine, dull, silky or vitreous.
• Chalcocite streaks gray or shiny while malachite streaks green or light green.
• Chalcocite can be commonly gray while malachite can be commonly green.
• Chalcocite's specific gravity is higher than malachite - chalcocite ranges from 5.5 to 5.8 and malachite ranges from 3.6 to 4.05.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Chalcocite and Malachite

The similarities of chalcocite and malachite include:

• Chalcocite's rarity is similar to malachite.

Summary of Chalcocite

Chalcocite is a copper sulfide mineral that has a dark gray to black color and a metallic luster. Its chemical formula is Cu2S, and it has a hardness of 2.5-3 on the Mohs scale. Chalcocite is often found in hydrothermal veins and is associated with other copper sulfide minerals such as chalcopyrite and bornite. It is a secondary mineral that forms from the alteration of primary copper minerals.

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 Chalcocite vs Malachite