2.9" Dark Green Malachite Crystal Mineral Specimen Tiznit Province Morocco

Location: Tiznit Province, Morocco

Weight: 1.7 Ounces

Dimensions: 2.9 Inches Long, 0.9 Inches Wide, 1.2 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Malachite is a well-known copper carbonate hydroxide mineral recognised for its deep green colouration and flowing banded structures. Valued since antiquity, it has served as an ornamental stone, early pigment, and important copper source, making it one of the most historically significant copper minerals. Today, Moroccan malachite stands out for its rich colour saturation and complex natural patterns, contributing significantly to the global mineral market.

This mineral forms in the oxidised zones of copper ore deposits, where copper-bearing sulfides react with oxygen-rich groundwater and carbon dioxide. These reactions cause malachite to crystallise gradually, layer upon layer, producing its characteristic bands and concentric designs. Variations in mineral chemistry, fluid flow, and environmental conditions during growth influence the intensity and structure of each specimen’s pattern.

Morocco’s abundance of copper-rich geological formations creates ideal conditions for malachite development. Many specimens originate from areas shaped by hydrothermal activity, fractures, and fault systems, which facilitate mineral alteration and crystal growth. The widespread presence of carbonate host rocks, including limestone, further supports malachite formation. Highly regarded by mineral collectors, lapidary artists, and designers, Moroccan malachite exemplifies the natural beauty created by copper-rich geological processes.