Azurite vs Malachite
| Property | Azurite | Malachite |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
| Crystal System | Monoclinic | Monoclinic |
| Mineral Class | 05 Carbonates and Nitrates | 05 Carbonates and Nitrates |
| Mohs Hardness | 3.5-4.0 | 3.5-4.0 |
| Color | Azure blue, dark blue | Bright green, dark green |
| Luster | Vitreous | Vitreous |
| Streak | Light blue | Light green |
| Transparency | Transparent | Translucent |
| Cleavage | Perfect {011}, fair {100} | Perfect {201} |
| Fracture | Conchoidal | Subconchoidal to uneven |
Key Differences
- ◆ Malachite is green; azurite is deep azure blue — both are copper carbonates found together.
- ◆ Malachite formula is Cu2(CO3)(OH)2; azurite is Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 with more copper and CO3.
- ◆ Azurite commonly converts to malachite through weathering (pseudomorphism).
- ◆ Malachite typically shows banded botryoidal habits; azurite forms well-defined prismatic crystals.
- ◆ Malachite has a light green streak; azurite has a light blue streak.