Specimens Kolwezite is a rare mineral that is a similar mineral to the much more common and well-known mineral malachite . Kolwezite contains a significant percentage of cobalt in place of some of the copper in malachite. Cobalt and copper are two very strong coloring agents. Unfortunately, kolwezite is perhaps too strongly colored and is commonly black. It is named for the famous mines at Kolwezi, Shaba, Zaire from where it was first discovered and from where many new and rare minerals are found.
Color is black, green to brown.
Luster is Transparency is translucent. Hardness is 4. Associated Minerals include malachite , siderite , cobaltian calcite and sphaerocobaltite . Notable Occurrences are limited to Kolwezi area of Shaba, Zaire. Best Field Indicators are color, locality, density and hardness.