Azurite turning into malachiteThese two copper carbonate minerals form in the upper part of primary
Azurite turning into malachiteThese two copper carbonate minerals form in the upper part of primary copper sulphide deposits that have been altered into oxidised minerals by interaction with calcium rich groundwater. Azurite tends to form first, often as lovely bladed crystals like the one in the photo, and then progressively turns into its green cousin. Occasionally a specimen it found frozen in the act so to speak, with both minerals present and a crystal habit reflecting the original azurite. This process of replacement of one mineral by another, retaining the crystal shape of the original specimen is called pseudomorphing. This sample comes from Morocco.LozImage credit: Exceptional Minerals -- source link
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