3.8" Dark Green Malachite Crystal Mineral Specimen Tiznit Province Morocco

Location: Tiznit Province, Morocco

Weight: 1.6 Ounces

Dimensions: 3.8 Inches Long, 1.6 Inches Wide, 1.3 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Malachite is a captivating copper carbonate hydroxide mineral admired for its intense green tones and naturally layered banding. Known and valued since ancient times, it has been used as a decorative stone, artistic pigment, and copper resource, leaving a lasting mark on human history. In the modern mineral world, Morocco has become a premier source of high-quality malachite, supplying specimens that are prized for their vivid colour and dramatic patterning.

This mineral develops in the near-surface oxidation zones of copper deposits, where copper-bearing minerals interact with water and atmospheric carbon dioxide. As chemical conditions shift, malachite precipitates in successive layers, producing the sweeping bands and concentric patterns that define its appearance. Subtle changes in copper content, fluid movement, temperature, and pressure influence each stage of growth, ensuring that every specimen is visually unique.

Morocco’s geologically diverse copper regions provide ideal conditions for malachite formation. Many deposits occur within areas shaped by faulting, shear zones, and hydrothermal activity, which accelerate copper oxidation. The presence of carbonate-rich host rocks, such as limestone, supplies the necessary chemical components for crystal growth. Celebrated for its bold greens, intricate banding, and sculptural beauty, Moroccan malachite is highly sought after by collectors, lapidaries, and designers, representing a remarkable fusion of geological process and natural artistry.