Mineralpedia Details for Pseudomalachite
Pseudomalachite
The similar appearance to malachite and the Greek word pseudo, meaning “false,” combine to give Pseudomalachite its name. Pseudomalachite is a secondary mineral that forms in oxidized hydrothermal deposits of copper. It can be found in small amounts at many localities including Germany, Slovakia, Russia, England, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Congo Republic, Zambia, the United States, Chile, and Australia, among others. It is found in association with libethenite, malachite, cornetite, chrysocolla, and quartz.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/pseudomalachite.pdf
- Formula
- Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Botryoidal, Massive, Stalactitic
- Cleavage
- Imperfect, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous - Greasy
- Color
- blue green, green, dark green, black green
- Streak
- bluish green
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 4-5
- WebMineral
- View Pseudomalachite
- Mindat
- View Pseudomalachite
Pseudomalachite from Gettysburg South pit, Tyrone mine, Grant Co., New Mexico, United States
Dark green, almost botryoidal forms or spherical aggregates to 1mm.
Pseudomalachite from Virneberg, near Rheinbreitbach, Rhineland, Germany
These crystals are glossy spherical aggregates of platy crystals to 5mm in diameter. Cross-sections of the aggregates show the distinct platy crystals stacked in parallel growth but yet the outer surface of the spheroids show a total random pattern with the terminations not parallel.
PSEUDOMALACHITE from Old Gunnislake mine, Gunnislake, Cornwall, England
Green coating of Pseudomalachite on Quartz matrix. Old specimen originally offered by Lythe Minerals.
