Check this out...

[Mr. Wonka]

I haven't had time to do any research on this, so somebody might want to give it a shot.

Scroll down to Malachite and Flourite... they're minerals that are black light reactive. How cool would that be to encase ;)

http://www.mbmg.mtech.edu/kids/mineral-info.htm

Have fun!

[themoch]

I hope heating it doesn't release the fluorine. but that would be sick

[vetropod]

Hey Wonka,

Do you ever go to the Carnegie Museum? I seem to remember that they've got a mineral room with a dark little side-room with all of the black-light sensitive minerals. You push the button and everything glows crazy colors!

Might not be that museum, but I have this memory and that's the only museum not in Boston which I've been to much. I haven't been there in like 12 years though... Things might be difrferent :crazy:


Wes.

[Abe Fleishman]

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MSDS Number: C5852 * * * * * Effective Date: 08/10/04 * * * * * Supercedes: 11/02/01
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CUPRIC CARBONATE BASIC

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1. Product Identification
Synonyms: Copper (II) carbonate hydroxide (2:1:2); copper, [carbonato (2-)] dihydroxydi-; basic copper (II) carbonate; cupric carbonate, basic; copper carbonate, hydroxide
CAS No.: 12069-69-1
Molecular Weight: 221.13
Chemical Formula: CuCO3 Cu(OH)2
Product Codes:
J.T. Baker: 1786
Mallinckrodt: 1798

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2. Composition/Information on Ingredients


Ingredient CAS No Percent Hazardous
--------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ---------

Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide 12069-69-1 100% Yes



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3. Hazards Identification
Emergency Overview
--------------------------
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. AFFECTS THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.

J.T. Baker SAF-T-DATA(tm) Ratings (Provided here for your convenience)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Health Rating: 2 - Moderate
Flammability Rating: 0 - None
Reactivity Rating: 0 - None
Contact Rating: 1 - Slight
Lab Protective Equip: GOGGLES; LAB COAT
Storage Color Code: Orange (General Storage)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Health Effects
----------------------------------

Information concerning the hazards of this product was limited. Hazard information was taken from other copper salts. It is believed, however, that insoluble copper salts are less hazardous than soluble copper salts.

Inhalation:
Causes irritation to respiratory tract, symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, and shortness of breath. May result in ulceration and perforation of respiratory tract. When heated, this compound may give off copper fume, which can cause symptoms similar to the common cold, including chills and stuffiness of the head.
Ingestion:
May cause burning pain in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach. Hemorrhagic gastritis, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, metallic taste, and diarrhea may occur. If vomiting does not occur immediately systemic copper poisoning may occur. Symptoms may include capillary damage, headache, cold sweat, weak pulse, kidney and liver damage, central nervous excitation followed by depression, jaundice, convulsions, blood effects, paralysis and coma. Death may occur from shock or renal failure.
Skin Contact:
May cause irritation with redness and pain. Contact with extensively burned skin may cause poisoning.
Eye Contact:
May cause irritation, redness, pain, blurred vision, and discoloration. May produce corneal opacity, inflammation, and conjunctivitis.
Chronic Exposure:
Prolonged or repeated skin exposure may cause dermatitis. Prolonged or repeated exposure to dusts of copper salts may cause discoloration of the skin or hair, blood and liver damage, ulceration and perforation of the nasal septum, runny nose, metallic taste, and atrophic changes and irritation of the mucous membranes.
Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions:
Persons with pre-existing skin disorders, impaired liver, kidney, or pulmonary function, glucose 6-phosphate-dehydrogenase deficiency, or pre-existing Wilson's disease may be more susceptible to the effects of this material.

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4. First Aid Measures
Inhalation:
Remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician.
Ingestion:
Induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Call a physician immediately.
Skin Contact:
In case of contact, wipe off excess material from skin then immediately flush skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Call a physician.
Eye Contact:
Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes, lifting lower and upper eyelids occasionally. Get medical attention immediately.


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5. Fire Fighting Measures
Fire:
Not considered to be a fire hazard.
Explosion:
May be an explosion hazard when mixed with incompatibles.
Fire Extinguishing Media:
Use any means suitable for extinguishing surrounding fire. Water spray may be used to keep fire exposed containers cool.
Special Information:
In the event of a fire, wear full protective clothing and NIOSH-approved self-contained breathing apparatus with full facepiece operated in the pressure demand or other positive pressure mode.

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6. Accidental Release Measures
Ventilate area of leak or spill. Keep unnecessary and unprotected people away from area of spill. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment as specified in Section 8. Spills: Pick up and place in a suitable container for reclamation or disposal, using a method that does not generate dust. US Regulations (CERCLA) require reporting spills and releases to soil, water and air in excess of reportable quantities. The toll free number for the US Coast Guard National Response Center is (800) 424-8802.




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7. Handling and Storage
Keep in a tightly closed container, stored in a cool, dry, ventilated area. Protect against physical damage. Isolate from incompatible substances. Containers of this material may be hazardous when empty since they retain product residues (dust, solids); observe all warnings and precautions listed for the product.

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8. Exposure Controls/Personal Protection
Airborne Exposure Limits:
-OSHA Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL):
1 mg/m3 (TWA) for copper dusts & mists as Cu
-ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (TLV):
1 mg/m3 (TWA) for copper dusts & mists as Cu
Ventilation System:
A system of local and/or general exhaust is recommended to keep employee exposures below the Airborne Exposure Limits. Local exhaust ventilation is generally preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preventing dispersion of it into the general work area. Please refer to the ACGIH document, Industrial Ventilation, A Manual of Recommended Practices, most recent edition, for details.
Personal Respirators (NIOSH Approved):
If the exposure limit is exceeded and engineering controls are not feasible, a half facepiece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N95 or better filters) may be worn for up to ten times the exposure limit or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest.. A full-face piece particulate respirator (NIOSH type N100 filters) may be worn up to 50 times the exposure limit, or the maximum use concentration specified by the appropriate regulatory agency, or respirator supplier, whichever is lowest. If oil particles (e.g. lubricants, cutting fluids, glycerine, etc.) are present, use a NIOSH type R or P filter. For emergencies or instances where the exposure levels are not known, use a full-facepiece positive-pressure, air-supplied respirator. WARNING: Air-purifying respirators do not protect workers in oxygen-deficient atmospheres.
Skin Protection:
Wear protective gloves and clean body-covering clothing.
Eye Protection:
Use chemical safety goggles and/or full face shield where dusting or splashing of solutions is possible. Maintain eye wash fountain and quick-drench facilities in work area.


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9. Physical and Chemical Properties
Appearance:
Green powder.
Odor:
Odorless.
Solubility:
Insoluble in water.
Specific Gravity:
4.00
pH:
No information found.
% Volatiles by volume @ 21C (70F):
0
Boiling Point:
Not applicable.
Melting Point:
200C (392F)
Vapor Density (Air=1):
No information found.
Vapor Pressure (mm Hg):
No information found.
Evaporation Rate (BuAc=1):
No information found.


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10. Stability and Reactivity
Stability:
Stable under ordinary conditions of use and storage.
Hazardous Decomposition Products:
May produce acrid smoke and irritating fumes when heated to decomposition.
Hazardous Polymerization:
Will not occur.
Incompatibilities:
Sodium hypobromite, acetylene, hydrazine, nitromethane, and strong acids.
Conditions to Avoid:
Incompatibles.

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11. Toxicological Information

Oral rabbit LD50: 159 mg/kg; oral rat LD50: 1350 mg/kg.

--------\Cancer Lists\------------------------------------------------------
---NTP Carcinogen---
Ingredient Known Anticipated IARC Category
------------------------------------ ----- ----------- -------------
Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide No No None
(12069-69-1)


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12. Ecological Information
Environmental Fate:
When released into the soil, this material is not expected to biodegrade. When released into water, this material is not expected to biodegrade. When released into water, this material is not expected to evaporate significantly.
Environmental Toxicity:
No information found.

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13. Disposal Considerations
Whatever cannot be saved for recovery or recycling should be managed in an appropriate and approved waste disposal facility. Processing, use or contamination of this product may change the waste management options. State and local disposal regulations may differ from federal disposal regulations. Dispose of container and unused contents in accordance with federal, state and local requirements.

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14. Transport Information
Not regulated.


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15. Regulatory Information
--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 1\---------------------------------
Ingredient TSCA EC Japan Australia
----------------------------------------------- ---- --- ----- ---------
Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide (12069-69-1) Yes Yes Yes Yes

--------\Chemical Inventory Status - Part 2\---------------------------------
--Canada--
Ingredient Korea DSL NDSL Phil.
----------------------------------------------- ----- --- ---- -----
Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide (12069-69-1) Yes Yes No Yes

--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 1\----------------
-SARA 302- ------SARA 313------
Ingredient RQ TPQ List Chemical Catg.
----------------------------------------- --- ----- ---- --------------
Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide (12069-69-1)No No No Copper compo

--------\Federal, State & International Regulations - Part 2\----------------
-RCRA- -TSCA-
Ingredient CERCLA 261.33 8(d)
----------------------------------------- ------ ------ ------
Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide No No No
(12069-69-1)


Chemical Weapons Convention: No TSCA 12(b): No CDTA: No
SARA 311/312: Acute: Yes Chronic: Yes Fire: No Pressure: No
Reactivity: No (Pure / Solid)



Australian Hazchem Code: 2XE
Poison Schedule: None allocated.
WHMIS:
This MSDS has been prepared according to the hazard criteria of the Controlled Products Regulations (CPR) and the MSDS contains all of the information required by the CPR.


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16. Other Information
NFPA Ratings: Health: 2 Flammability: 0 Reactivity: 0
Label Hazard Warning:
WARNING! HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED. AFFECTS THE LIVER AND KIDNEYS. CAUSES IRRITATION TO SKIN, EYES AND RESPIRATORY TRACT.
Label Precautions:
Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothing.
Avoid breathing dust.
Keep container closed.
Use only with adequate ventilation.
Wash thoroughly after handling.
Label First Aid:
If swallowed, induce vomiting immediately as directed by medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Call a physician immediately. If inhaled, remove to fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen. Call a physician. In case of contact, wipe off excess material from skin then immediately flush eyes or skin with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing and shoes. Wash clothing before reuse. Call a physician.
Product Use:
Laboratory Reagent.
Revision Information:
No Changes.
Disclaimer:
************************************************** **********************************************
Mallinckrodt Baker, Inc. provides the information contained herein in good faith but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. This document is intended only as a guide to the appropriate precautionary handling of the material by a properly trained person using this product. Individuals receiving the information must exercise their independent judgment in determining its appropriateness for a particular purpose. MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE WITH RESPECT TO THE INFORMATION SET FORTH HEREIN OR THE PRODUCT TO WHICH THE INFORMATION REFERS. ACCORDINGLY, MALLINCKRODT BAKER, INC. WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGES RESULTING FROM USE OF OR RELIANCE UPON THIS INFORMATION.
************************************************** **********************************************
Prepared by: Environmental Health & Safety
Phone Number: (314) 654-1600 (U.S.A.)

[Abe Fleishman]

This is what I have on file about the Malachite.

[Natedizzle]

i like the completeness of that list... but it says it's for coppercarbonate..

edit...i'm an idiot...

nathan

[Abe Fleishman]

Copper(II) Carbonate Hydroxide is Malachite I believe

[Abe Fleishman]

THE PLEOCHROIC MINERALS
Pleochroic minerals are minerals that show different colors depending on what direction the viewer is observing the crystal. The effect is sometimes quite dramatic. Many minerals are technically pleochroic, but more often than not the color change is so small that it requires optical instruments to detect it. However there are some minerals that show an incredible color change. The greatest change is limited to three colors and is called trichroic. A two color change is called dichroic. Pleochroic, which means "many colors", is often the term used to cover both. Many times the color change is limited to shade changes such as from pale pink to dark pink. In order to view pleochroism you need an individual transparent crystal.

Pleochroism is caused by the absorption of different wavelengths of light travelling through different directions in the crystal. If in one direction, all wavelengths but yellow and blue are absorbed then the crystal will be green (yellow and blue make green). If in another direction all wavelengths are absorbed but yellow, then the crystal will appear yellow. If the crystal is turned from the first direction to the other, then it will change its color from green to yellow. Isometric minerals can not be pleochroic since they have the same structure and thus the same light absorbing capabilities in all directions. Tetragonal, trigonal and hexagonal minerals can only be dichroic since they have one unique structural direction along the major symmetry axis and one direction in every other direction. Only orthorhombic, monoclinic and triclinic minerals can be trichroic since they have three unique axes of symmetry and therefore three unique directions that can absorb light in three different ways. Although pleochroism is a rare phenomena to easily observe, it can be diagnostic.


Some of the best examples of pleochroism are found in specimens of: Andalusite (yellow-green to red-brown)
Carletonite (colorless to blue)
Elbaite (pale color to a darker color)
Iolite (colorless to blue to purple)
Kunzite (pale pink to dark pink)
Tanzanite (colorless to blue to purple)
Zoisite (colorless to pink to yellow)



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*ASTERISM AND THE CAT'S EYE EFFECT
Asterism is a well known light effect in some gemstones. Asterism, which gets it name from aster the Greek word for star, is responsible for the lovely star sapphires, star rubies, star rose quartz and other gemstones. The effect is caused by minute acicular (needle-like) crystals of probably rutile or sometimes other minerals that are included in the host mineral. These minute crystals are microscopic, but there are thousands of them and their combined effect is to diffract light into these bands that appear as rays of light. In trigonal minerals such as corundum, the tiny crystals are aligned along crystallographic axes and this causes the six pointed stars. Although the rutile crystals diminish the clarity of the stone, their star effect more than makes up for this. Star gemstones are really wonderful to look at as the star is responsive to the viewer and moves across the surface of the stone as it is moved and rotated or as the observer moves to a different viewing direction. Some stars even seem to be hovering over the stone, an optical illusion. Some star effects can be seen in some minerals only when light is viewed through the crystal (such as in phlogopite).

Cat's eyes are similar to asterisms and are caused by the same inclusions of minute crystals. But in this case the band on light is limited to one band that shimmers from the top to the bottom of the stone and appears like a glowing cat's eye. Andalusite is the premier cat's eye stone, but the effect is found in other minerals as well. The techincal term for the cat's eye effect is chatoyancy which is translated from the French words "chat" and "oeil" which mean cat and eye respectively. Good quality cat's eye stones have a similar glow and hover effect as the star gemstones mentioned above.


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PHOSPHORESCENCE
Many minerals that fluoresce will at times also phosphoresce. Phosphorescence is the ability of a mineral to glow after the initial activating ultraviolet light is removed. The electrons in the mineral have essentially stored the energy of the initial activating light and then re-emit the phosphorescent light on a delayed basis. The reason for the delay is because a certain amount of the electrons are prevented from returning to their lower energy states quickly, at least not as quickly as they were initially energized by the UV light. Most children are familiar with "glow-in-the-dark" toys, t-shirts and stickers that make use of phosphorescent chemicals. It is quite a unique thing to see this occur in a natural mineral. Some phosphorescent intensity is very low and actually beyond the capabilities of the human eye to detect. But specimens that have been exposed to UV light and then placed in front of sensitive photographic film can be reveal to be phosphorescent for some time after the initial activation, by producing an exposure on the film. In some extreme cases for years afterward. This is not a consistent property to observe and is not very diagnostic for this reason.


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THERMOLUMINESCENCE
Thermoluminescence is a property of some minerals to glow when they are heated. The minerals contain chemical bonds that emit light when thermal energy (heat) is applied to them. It is well know that steel becomes luminescent when it has been heated and is being worked. Some minerals glow when they are subjected to temperatures of between 50 and 475 degrees C. Activator elements must be present in these minerals just like in UV fluorescence. In some minerals, they will glow only once during heating and then never glow again. This is because the excited electrons were trapped in a higher state during crystallization and only when heated were they allowed to lower their energy state by emitting the photons of light.

Minerals that have been known to show this unusual property are:

APATITE, CALCITE, some FELDSPARS, FLUORITE and LEPIDOLITE.


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TRIBOLUMINESCENCE
Triboluminescence is a property of some minerals to glow when they are crushed, struck, scratched or even rubbed in some cases. The minerals contain chemical bonds that emit light when even mechanical energy is imparted to them. This is not a reliable property as it is not generally consistent from specimen to specimen although sphalerite has shown this property very well. This property must be tested in the dark.

Minerals that have been known to show this unusual property include:

AMBLYGONITE
CALCITE
FELDSPARS
FLUORITE
LEPIDOLITE
MICAS
PECTOLITE
QUARTZ
SPHALERITE

[Abe Fleishman]

Fluorite
Chemistry: CaF2, Calcium Fluoride
Class: Halides
Uses: As a flux (hence the name) in iron smelting, a rare gemstone, a source of fluorine, as special optical lenses and a popular mineral specimen.
Physical Properties.
Specimens
Fluorite is a mineral with a veritable bouquet of brilliant colors. Fluorite is well known and prized for its glassy luster and rich variety of colors. The range of common colors for fluorite starting from the hallmark color purple, then blue, green, yellow, colorless, brown, pink, black and reddish orange is amazing and is only rivaled in color range by quartz. Intermediate pastels between the previously mentioned colors are also possible. It is easy to see why fluorite earns the reputation as "The Most Colorful Mineral in the World".
The many colors of fluorite are truly wonderful. The rich purple color is by far fluorite's most famous and popular color. It easily competes with the beautiful purple of amethyst. Often specimens of fluorite and amethyst with similar shades of purple are used in mineral identification classes to illustrate the folly of using color as the sole means to identify minerals.

The blue, green and yellow varieties of fluorite are also deeply colored, popular and attractive. The colorless variety is not as well received as the colored varieties, but their rarity still makes them sought after by collectors. A brown variety found in Ohio and elsewhere has a distinctive iridescence that improves an otherwise poor color for fluorite. The rarer colors of pink, reddish orange (rose) and even black are usually very attractive and in demand.

Most specimens of fluorite have a single color, but a significant percentage of fluorites have multiple colors and the colors are arranged in bands or zones that correspond to the shapes of fluorite's crystals. In other words, the typical habit of fluorite is a cube and the color zones are often in cubic arrangement. The effect is similar to phantomed crystals that appear to have crystals within crystals that are of differing colors. A fluorite crystal could have a clear outer zone allowing a cube of purple fluorite to be seen inside. Sometimes the less common habits such as a colored octahedron are seen inside of a colorless cube. One crystal of fluorite could potentially have four or five different color zones or bands.

To top it all off, fluorite is frequently fluorescent and, like its normal light colors, its fluorescent colors are extremely variable. Typically it fluoresces blue but other fluorescent colors include yellow, green, red, white and purple. Some specimens have the added effect of simultaniously having a different color under longwave UV light from its color under shortwave UV light. And some will even demonstrate phosphorescence in a third color! That's four possible color luminescence in one specimen! If you count the normal light color too. The blue fluorescence has been attributed to the presence of europium ions (Eu +2). Yttrium is the activator for the yellow fluorescence. Green and red fluorescent activation is not exactly pinned down as of yet, but may be due to the elements already mentioned as well as other rare earth metals; also manganese, uranium or a combination of these. Even unbonded fluorine trapped in the structure has been suggested. The word fluorescent was derived from fluorite since specimens of fluorite were some of the first fluorescent specimens ever studied. The naming followed the naming precedence set by opalescence from opal; ergo fluorescence from fluorite.

Another unique luminescent property of fluorite is its thermoluminescence. Thermoluminescence is the ability to glow when heated. Not all fluorites do this, in fact it is quite a rare phenomenon. A variety of fluorite known as "chlorophane" can demonstrate this property very well and will even thermoluminesce while the specimen is held in a person's hand activated by the person's own body heat (of course in a dark room, as it is not bright enough to be seen in daylight). The thermoluminescence is green to blue-green and can be produced on the coils of a heater or electric stove top. Once seen, the glow will fade away and can no longer by seen in the same specimen again. It is a one shot deal. Chlorophane (which means to show green) is found in very limited quantities at Amelia Court House, Virginia; Franklin, New Jersey and the Bluebird Mine, Arizona, USA; Gilgit, Pakistan; Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada and at Nerchinsk in the Ural Mountains, Russia.

Fluorite has other qualities besides its great color assortments that make it a popular mineral. It has several different crystal habits that always produce well formed, good, clean crystals. The cube is by far the most recognized habit of fluorite followed by the octahedron which is believed to form at higher temperatures than the cube. Although the cleavage of fluorite can produce an octahedral shape and these cleaved octahedrons are popular in rock shops the world over, the natural (e.g. uncleaved) octahedrons are harder to find.

A rarer habit variety is the twelve sided dodecahedron however it is never seen by itself and usually modifies the cubic crystals by replacing the edges of the cube with one flat face of a dodecahedron. The tetrahexahedron is a twenty four sided habit that is also seen modifying the cubic habit. But instead of one face replacing each cubic edge, two faces modify the cube's edges. Occasionally combinations of a cube, dodecahedron and tetrahexahedron are seen producing an overall cubic crystal with no less that three minor parallel faces replacing each cubic edge. A fifth form is the hexoctahedron which modifies the cube by placing six very minor faces at each corner of the cube. Twinning is also common in fluorite and symmetrical penetration twins, especially from Cumberland England are much sought after by collectors.

Fluorite, as mention above, has octahedral cleavage. This means that it has four identical directions of cleavage and when cleaved in the right ways can produce a perfect octahedral shape. Many thousands of octahedrons are produced from massive or large undesirable crystals of fluorite (hopefully!) and are sold in rock shops and museum gift shops at a small cost. Fluorite mine workers are reported to sit down at lunch breaks and cleave the octahedrons for the extra cash. The octahedrons are very popular due to their attractive colors, clarity, "diamond-shaped" and low costs, but to a serious collector they are nothing more than "cleavage fragments".

Fluorite not only is attractive in its own right but is often associated with other attractive minerals. Fluorite crystals will frequently accompany specimens of silver gray galena, brassy yellow pyrite, chalcopyrite or marcasite, golden barite, black sparkling sphalerite, intricately crystallized calcite and crystal clear quartz, even amethyst.

The origin of the word fluorite comes from the use of fluorite as a flux in steel and aluminum processing. It was originally referred to as fluorospar by miners and is still called that today. Fluorite is also used as a source of fluorine for hydrofluoric acid and fluorinated water. The element fluorine also gets its name from fluorite, fluorines only common mineral. Other uses of fluorite include an uncommon use as a gemstone (low hardness and good cleavage reduce its desirability as a gemstone), ornamental carvings (sometimes misleadingly called Green Quartz) and special optical uses.

Fluorite is the most popular mineral for mineral collectors in the world, second only to quartz. Every mineral collection owned by even the newest and youngest of mineral collectors must have a specimen of fluorite. Fluorite is by far one of the most beautiful and interesting minerals available on the mineral markets.


THE PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF FLUORITE:
Color is extremely variable and many times can be an intense purple, blue, green or yellow; also colorless, reddish orange, pink, white and brown. A single crystal can be multi-colored.
Luster is vitreous.
Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System: Isometric; 4/m bar 3 2/m
Crystal Habits include the typical cube and to a lesser extent, the octahedron as well as combinations of these two and other rarer isometric habits. Always with equant crystals; less common are crusts and botryoidal forms. Twinning also produces penetration twins that look like two cubes grown together.
Cleavage is perfect in 4 directions forming octahedrons.
Fracture is irregular and brittle.
Hardness is 4
Specific Gravity is 3.1+ (average)
Streak is white.
Other Characteristics: Often fluorescent blue or more rarely green, white, red or violet and may be thermoluminescent, phosphorescent and triboluminescent.
Associated Minerals are many and include calcite, quartz, willemite, barite, witherite, apatite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite and other sulfides.
Notable Occurrences include in addition to those mentioned above Cumberland, England; Spain; China; Brazil; Morocco; Bancroft, Ontario, Canada; Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico; Germany; Elmwood, Tennessee; Rosiclare, Illinois; Fort Wayne, Indiana; Pugh Quarry and Wood County, Ohio; Nancy Hanks Mine, Colorado and many other USA localities as well as many other localities from around the world.
Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, color zoning, hardness (harder than calcite, but softer than quartz or apatite), fluorescence and especially the octahedral cleavage

[Brian Newman]

I tried malachite years back. It burns and boils the glass.