3" Dark Green Malachite Crystal Mineral Specimen On Rock Tiznit Province Morocco

Location: Tiznit Province, Morocco

Weight: 4.4 Ounces

Dimensions: 3 Inches Long, 1.4 Inches Wide, 1.6 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Malachite is a striking copper carbonate hydroxide mineral admired for its intense green colouration and distinctive banded patterns. Revered since antiquity, it has been widely used as a natural pigment, ornamental stone, and important copper ore, giving it lasting historical and geological significance. Today, malachite remains one of the most recognisable copper minerals, valued equally for its beauty and scientific importance.

This vibrant green mineral forms in the oxidised zones of copper ore deposits, where copper sulfides react with water and carbon dioxide near the Earth’s surface. As malachite crystallises, fluctuations in copper concentration, moisture levels, and trace elements create its characteristic concentric layers and flowing bands. The final crystal structure and visual appearance are shaped by local temperature, pressure, and chemical conditions, ensuring that each specimen is unique. Because of these qualities, malachite is highly sought after by mineral collectors, gemstone enthusiasts, and jewellery designers, and it also serves as a valuable indicator of copper mineralisation.

Morocco’s geologically diverse landscape contains abundant copper deposits that provide ideal conditions for malachite formation. With a mining history spanning centuries, the region has supplied minerals to global markets for generations. Moroccan malachite is especially prized for its deep colour saturation and intricate banding, often forming in areas influenced by faulting, shear zones, and hydrothermal activity. The presence of limestone and other carbonate-rich host rocks further supports malachite development by supplying essential carbonate ions, making Moroccan specimens among the most desirable in the world.