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Color:
Various shades of green, often
banded
Durability:
Somewhat soft, good for beads
and pendants
Localities:
Zaire has the best quality, but malachite is associated with
copper deposits world wide.
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Malachite
Cu2(CO)3(OH)2
Malachite is a copper hydroxyl silicate. It is actually
the green rust that forms on copper. It is closely associated
with the mineral azurite. Large
deposits have been found in the Ural Mountains of Russia
and also in Zaire. It is a decorative stone that has been
used for table tops, columns and wall coverings. Malachite
was used by the ancient Egyptians for carvings, and also
powdered for makeup. Russian legends claim that those that
drink from a malachite goblet will be able to understand
the language of animals. Malachite is said to attract love
and money.
Shop owners are advised to keep a piece of malachite in
their cash registers.
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