Malachite

3D Model

I found this mineral in my mom’s display cabinet. She has no idea where it came from. Could it be malachite?

Malachite is a copper carbonate with distinctive green veining. Though not a particularly hard stone, it takes an excellent polish. Malachite is usually found near copper ore deposits. The most famous malachite mines were in the Ural mountains in Russia, where 20 ton blocks were once taken from the quarries to decorate the palaces of the Russian tsars. Today malachite is a scarcer material and the most important producer is the Congo (formerly known as Zaire). Malachite is indeed one of the most popular green gems and is frequently used in gemstone rings, - it is very-well suited for other types of gemstone jewelry, including gemstone earrings, pins and brooches, as well as in necklaces and fine gemstone pendants.