On the opposite end of the spectrum, its reproductions are formed from polymer and ceramic. This quality isn’t exhibited in any other green material. Gem grade malachite forms a fuzz in the stone when exposed to the cold and it’s quite stunning when seen under bright light.

This makes it really susceptible to scrapes and scratches. It is 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale of hardness. These, and the fact that it is a softer mineral limit its use. It is, however, very sensitive to heat and reacts with weak acids. Banding and eyes of the stone make it a very popular gem to use for jewelry. Malachite gets its color from copper and it comes in various shades of green. The bands of color are reflective of the various amounts of change in the mineral content. This is how the swirling, concentric patterns are formed. For example, it may form when water with carbon dioxide in it, interacts with a pre-existing rock with copper in it. It is considered a “secondary mineral” and is created by a chemical reaction between minerals that have already formed. The properties of all three are amazingly similar, except malachite is a vibrant shade of green. It is often found with azurite, calcite, and goethite. Sometimes, but rarely, it forms as a crystal.Ĭonditions have to be extremely favorable for this process to occur. You will also see it formed as stalactites in underground cavities. It also exists between the grains and granules of porous rock. Malachite is often found in fractures, caverns, and cavities of the rock.

Today, it is found in the USA (specifically Arizona), Congo, South Africa, Chile, Australia, Russia, Romania, Chile, and Zaire. It was also aggressively mined until about the 1800s in the Ural Mountains of Russia. Archeologists have estimated it to be mined and smelted into copper, from the Israeli Timna Valley for over 3,000 years. In the beginning, it was mined in Egypt and Israel. Formation and Harvestingīecause it is so found at such shallow depths of the earth, it is easily mined. With it, they made dining sets, vases, extravagant sculptures and even paneled rooms with it! You can actually see a paneled room, in the world-famous Hermitage Museum of St. But the people who revered it most highly were the 19th Century Russian royals. It was used in protective amulets in ancient times. Malachite has been highly prized by many cultures and civilizations. In the Middle Ages, It was used as a cure for vomiting. The Ancient Greeks and Romans made sculptures and vases out of it. It was also thought to protect the children. They engraved the sun, in the stone, to protect the wearer from evil spirits. They made Malachite amulets to ward off evil. In ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics, they describe Malachite as being necessary for their deities’ existence. Malachite is now used as a gemstone and ornamental stone for sculpting and jewelry making. It was one of the first ores used to make copper. Eventually, it was discovered malachite could be used to make copper.īy 600 B.C., when mining ended, 1,760 tons of copper was made from the stone that was mined. They used stone and bone tools to extract the malachite. It was easily mined because it is so shallow. It was given its name because of the resemblance to the leaves of the mallow plant.ģ,800 years ago, it was heavily mined in Britain, at the Great Orme Mines.

The word, malachite, was taken from Middle English (melochites), Middle French (melochite), Greek (malochitis lithos) and Latin (molochitis). So, if green is your favorite color, then malachite jewelry may just be your new best friend! History of Malachite Stone Malachite can also be made into things like goblets and candlesticks. Despite its softness, it is able to withstand a high polish which makes it absolutely wonderful for jewelry. It is a bright green, copper carbonate hydroxide mineral. Industries prefer using it as a pigment for dyes as it is a highly sought after coloring agent. It won’t fade over time or when exposed to light. The stones are grizzled with grey, black, or white striations, which make each stone unique. The stones aren’t solid green, however, and they aren’t even all the same shade of green. It looks very regal, royal and important. It is a stone of a beautiful, lush rich, green color and has beautiful verdant tones. Malachite stone is known as the stone of “transformation”.

Malachite black onyx stone meaning