Malachite

Malachite is a semi-precious stone popular for its opaque property and brilliant green color. The gemstone got its name most probably after the Greek word "malache", meaning "mallow", which means green herb, or from another Greek word "malakos", which means soft. It is known for its beautiful light and dark green pattern, a unique property found in malachite only. The light and green pattern is so distinctive that it the gemstone is one among the most easily recognized minerals in general.

Malachite Gemstone Information

History

Malachite was discovered in 4,000 B.C. by the Ancient Egyptians. The stone is mined in large quantities in the Urals and Israel. Archaelogical evidence proves that the gemstone has been mined for some 3,000 years in "King Solomon's Mines" at Israel, Timna valley, only to be disrupted during the 10th century, during the time of King Solomon. The gemstone can also be mined in Zambia, Congo, Namibia, Russia, Mexico, Wales, England, Lyon, and the Southwestern United States.

Folklore

The gemstone was worn during the middle ages to protect the wearers from black magic and sorcery. Ancient Greeks gave their children amulets made of the stone as protection. This gorgeous stone is also worn to help detect imminent danger. Many believe it could give extra energy to its wearers. It was believed to bring about knowledge, patience and calmness in the wearers. lives. The gemstone is believed to aid wearers in the regeneration of body cells, help attain peace and tranquility, and aid sleep. Usually, the stone is attached to baby.s cradles. Today, the gemstone is the traditional gift to celebrate thirteen years of marriage.

Famous Malachite

Because of its softness, the stone is easy to carve and shape, and takes on a good polish. This makes the stone fairly popular in sculpture and jewelry, most especially common in Southwestern Native American jewelry. It has been used for aesthetic decorative purposes, like the Hermitage's Malachite Room, and "The Tazza". Russian Royal Families often used the stone for their dinnerware, vases, sculptures and panels. A large piece of malachite was given as a gift from Tsar Nicholas II. "The Tazza" is in display at the Linda Hall Library. The gemstone is popular during the Victorian era, which they used for decorative purposes. Malachites are usually set in silver or gold. Now, the stone has been used as beads, cabochons and small carvings usually set in silver.

Other Uses

Since antiquity until the 1800s, the stone has also been used as a pigment for paints. It has some disadvantages though, for the pigment is fairly lightfast and extremely sensitive to acids. It has also been used as an eye shadow during the ancient times. Although the stone produces amazing and beautiful results, it is hazardous to health for it releases copper content that is toxic to breathe.

Gem Look-A-Like

Where there are real gemstones, gem imitations are always present. In the case of malachite, its imitation gem is called "pseudomalachite", a copper phosphate with properties very similar to that of malachite. In Latin, pseudomalachite means "false malachite", and is much rarer compared to malachite.

Care

The gemstone is very soft and painfully fragile. Always protect your stones from sharp blows and scratches. They cannot withstand from intense temperatures and sudden temperature changes. Practice carefulness even when cleaning. Do not clean your stone using a home ultrasonic cleaner, and even water---water will remove the protective polish of the stone. Keep it away from heat, for it may damage the stone.