9" Large Malachite with Azurite Specimen (7.8 Lbs) - Morocco

Azurite and malachite are known to form in union with each other since their chemical makeup is very similar. In fact, the presence of more or less water in the location of formation is enough to determine whether an abundance of malachite over azurite, or vise-versa, will accumulate.

These minerals tend to be found near copper deposits, which accounts for the colors the minerals display. This association of azurite and malachite on copper rich, iron oxide matrix was found near M'Cissi, Alnif, Tinghir Province, Souss-Massa-Draâ Region, Morocco.

Galena is a lead-based mineral and the primary ore of lead, and has been used for its lead content for thousands of years. Galena typically displays a gray metallic luster and forms cubes or octahedral crystals. The chemical composition of galena is PbS.

While galena will not pose a health hazard by sitting on the shelf or even from casual handling, we suggest washing hands following handling due to the mineral's lead content.