Wonderful Information about Malachite and the jewellery that uses this stone.

Malachite - According to the Oxford dictionary The stone's name Origin is late Middle English: from Old French melochite, via Latin from Greek molokhitis, from molokhe-, variant of malakhe- 'mallow'

The mineral was given this name due to its resemblance to the leaves of the Mallow plant. It was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800AD. The pigment is moderately lightfast, very sensitive to acids and varying in color - never put this stone in a silver cleaning solution.

Archeological evidence indicates that the mineral has been mined and smelted at the site for over 3,000 years. In Israel there is a mine called Timna and is often refered to as King Solomon's Mine, although research has revealed an interruption in mining activity at the site during the 10th century BC, the time of the biblical Solomon. Here is a fun little wesite which has a map and a little annimation about Timna. current production in Timna is also smelted, but the finest pieces are worked into silver jewelry. Here is an fantastic website that talks about the history of this useful stone during the Bronze age

It has been is also used for decorative purposes, such as in the Room in the Hermitage (Virtual Tour), which features a large vase. "The Tazza", which is one of the largest pieces of malachite in North America and a gift from Tsar Nicholas II, it stands as the focal point in the center of the room of Linda Hall Library.

This stone often results from weathering of copper ores and is often found together with azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2), goethite, and calcite. Except for its vibrant green color, the properties are similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals occur frequently. It is more common than Azurite and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestones, the source of the carbonate.

It also have a mineral impostor called pseudomalachite. Pseudomalachite is a copper phosphate that has a massive crystal habit and color that are very similar to Malachite's habit and color, although the two minerals have different structures. Pseudomalachite means "false malachite" in latin and is actually a much rarer stone.

Malachite is an impostor of its own. It frequently pseudomorphs the closely associated mineral azurite. A pseudomorph is a mineral specimen where the original mineral has been chemically replaced by another mineral, but the outward appearance is still retained.

Pseudomorph means "false shape" in latin parlance. The transformation is fascinating and sometimes leaves a nearly perfect azurite crystal shape that is actually Malachite. Often the transformation is incomplete and leaves a blue/green mineral specimen unlike any other. A gem trade name is used for ornamental stones with this combination called azur-malachite.

At our shop we have sometimes received the wonderful green stone that has a wonderful Chatoyancy effect simular to the stone in this video.

Large quantities have been mined in the Urals, Russia. It is found worldwide including in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Gabon; Zambia; Tsumeb, Namibia; Mexico; Broken Hill, New South Wales; Lyon, France; and in the Southwestern United States notably in Arizona.

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Color : light and dark green or (if crystalline), just dark green

Mohs scale hardness : 3.5-4

Specific gravity : 3.9

Video 1 of a very large natural specimen.

Video 2 of Mine in Mexico

For information about the Spiritual Properties of this stone Click Here