Description
Lapis is a rock and not a mineral because it is made up from various other minerals. To be a mineral it would have one constituent only, and Lapis has several including Lazurite, Sodium, Aluminum, Silicon, Oxygen, Sulfur and Chlorine. Most Lapis contains Calcite, Sodalite and Pyrite. The best color is an intense blue that is lightly dusted with small flecks of Pyrite. Lapis takes an excellent polish and has been made into jewelry, carvings, boxes, mosaics and ornamental objects.
Malachite is a Copper Carbonate mineral that often forms botryoidal, fibrous or stalagmitic masses. It is often the result of the weathering of Copper Ores and is commonly found with Azurite, Goethite and Calcite. It is typically associated with Copper deposits including Limestone which is the source of the Carbonate. Malachite is found in many regions world wide and is usually shaded green in color.