Malachite Vs. Turquoise

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

Quick Facts on Differences of Malachite and Turquoise

For a quick recap of the differences malachite and turquoise:

• In terms of crystallography, malachite is monoclinic while turquoise is triclinic.
• For chemical formulas, malachite is Cu2CO3(OH)2 while turquoise is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8• 4H2O.
• While both malachite and turquoise can be dull or vitreous, in terms of luster, malachite can be adamantine or silky and turquoise can be waxy.
• Malachite streaks green or light green while turquoise streaks white.
• While both malachite and turquoise can be commonly green, turquoise is often blue.
• Malachite's hardness is lower than turquoise - malachite ranges from 3.5 to 4.5 and turquoise ranges from 5 to 6 on the Moh's scale.
  • Malachite can be scratched by glass (5.5) while turquoise can not be.
• Malachite's specific gravity is higher than turquoise - malachite ranges from 3.6 to 4.05 and turquoise ranges from 2.4 to 2.6.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Malachite and Turquoise

The similarities of malachite and turquoise include:

• Malachite and turquoise both can be opaque or translucent.
• Malachite's rarity is similar to turquoise.

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.

Summary of Turquoise

Turquoise is a mineral that is a blue to greenish-blue color, often with veins or web-like patterns of darker color running through it. It is a relatively soft mineral, with a Mohs hardness of between 5 and 6, and has been used for decorative purposes for thousands of years. One of the most famous sources of turquoise is the Southwest United States, particularly Arizona and New Mexico, but it can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Iran, Afghanistan, and China.

Table Comparison of Malachite vs Turquoise