Emerald Vs. Malachite

Emerald is a very popular gemstone composed of beryllium aluminum silicate.^[1] Malachite is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is copper carbonate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Emerald and Malachite

For a quick recap of the differences emerald and malachite:

• While both emerald and malachite can be opaque or translucent, emerald can be transparent.
• In terms of crystallography, emerald is hexagonal while malachite is monoclinic.
• For chemical formulas, emerald is Be3Al2Si6O18 while malachite is Cu2CO3(OH)2.
• While both emerald and malachite is vitreous, in terms of luster, malachite can be adamantine, dull or silky.
• Emerald streaks colorless while malachite streaks green or light green.
• Emerald's rarity is more rare than malachite.
• Emerald's hardness is higher than malachite - emerald ranges from 7.5 to 8 and malachite ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 on the Moh's scale.
• Emerald's specific gravity is lower than malachite - emerald ranges from 2.68 to 2.78 and malachite ranges from 3.6 to 4.05.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Emerald and Malachite

The similarities of emerald and malachite include:

• Emerald and malachite both are green.

Summary of Emerald

Emerald is a green variety of beryl, a mineral that also includes aquamarine and morganite. The color of emerald is caused by the presence of chromium and vanadium in the crystal lattice. The intensity of the color and the purity of the green hue are the most important factors in determining the value of an emerald.

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 Emerald vs Malachite