Identification guide · Minerals
How to Identify Malachite
Malachite is usually green, dark green, and banded green with a silky luster and is opaque. It has a Mohs hardness of 4. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Its streak is pale green. It is most often confused with Chrysocolla, Copper, and Azurite; the tests below separate them.
Malachite identification checklist
| Color | Green, Dark Green, Banded Green | Look at a clean, dry surface in daylight. Color zoning, banding or spots are as diagnostic as the hue. |
|---|---|---|
| Luster | Silky | Compare a fresh surface with glass and metal; this luster is softer than either. |
| Transparency | Opaque | Hold a thin edge up to a bright light and note whether light passes through. |
| Mohs hardness | 4 | A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. |
| Streak | Pale green | Drag a corner across unglazed porcelain (the back of a bathroom tile) and check the powder color. |
| Cleavage | Perfect | |
| Fracture | Subconchoidal | Broken surfaces show smooth, curved, shell-like scoops. |
| Specific gravity | 4 | Heavier than it looks (specific gravity about 4). |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Extra tests for Malachite
Acid test. Fizzes in vinegar or dilute hydrochloric acid because of its carbonate content.
Malachite look-alikes and how to tell them apart
Malachite is harder (Mohs 4) than Chrysocolla (Mohs 2.5), so Malachite will scratch Chrysocolla and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Malachite vs Chrysocolla →
Malachite is harder (Mohs 4) than Copper (Mohs 2.5–3), so Malachite will scratch Copper and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Malachite vs Copper →
Both sit near Mohs 4, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Malachite vs Azurite →
Both sit near Mohs 4, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
Field tips
- Check whether the specimen's color and texture match typical Malachite examples.
- Use hardness, streak, luster, grain size, and locality together; no single trait is enough for every specimen.
Malachite identification FAQ
How can you tell if a rock is Malachite?
Check the color (green, dark green, and banded green), the silky luster, a Mohs hardness of 4 and a pale green streak. Photographing it with the StoneSnap app gives a match in seconds.
What is the hardness of Malachite?
Malachite has a Mohs hardness of 4. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
What is the difference between Malachite and Chrysocolla?
Malachite (Mohs 4, silky luster) and Chrysocolla (Mohs 2.5, vitreous luster) look alike, but hardness, streak and heft usually separate them. See the full Malachite vs Chrysocolla comparison for a side-by-side table.
Is Malachite worth anything?
Entry-level Malachite specimens sell for around $5, typical collector pieces about $30, and premium examples $200 or more depending on size, quality and locality.
What color is Malachite?
Malachite is most often green, dark green, and banded green. Color varies with impurities and locality, so confirm with hardness and luster rather than color alone.
