The intense green gemstone
overview
- Naming : The name malachite probably comes from the Greek μαλάχη (maláchē) and means "mallow". The strong green of the gemstone is said to be reminiscent of the color of mallow leaves. However, the gemstone's low hardness may also have given it its name: the Greek malakos means "soft".
- Mineral group: Malachite belongs to the class of carbonates and is a secondary mineral that forms during the weathering of copper deposits in their oxidation zone.
- Color: The color of malachite can range from light green to black-green. The substance that gives malachite its color is copper. It is rare to find larger malachite gemstones that have only one color.
Some malachite gemstones exhibit pleochroism. - Cut : Malachite is usually cut into a round or oval shape. The shape of a slightly embossed table stone is also suitable for malachite. The peacock eye malachite is particularly popular - a malachite gemstone with concentric circles arranged like an eye. A faceted cut is unsuitable for malachite because the edges could break too easily.
Quality factors
Color
The color of malachite ranges from light green to a very dark, almost black green. Malachite often shows strong pleochroism and looks as if it were crisscrossed by bands or concentric rings. The multi-coloring and patterning make malachite a fascinating gemstone.
carat
The carat number is a unit of measurement and indicates the weight of a gemstone. One carat (ct) corresponds to 0.2 grams. In general, the higher the carat number, the more valuable a gemstone is. However, the weight alone does not determine the value; other factors such as color, clarity and cut also play a decisive role.
purity
Basically, the purer a malachite is, the more valuable it is.
cut
Malachite is a very delicate gemstone, which is why it is usually cut into cabochons.
Malachite in History
Malachite is one of the most legendary gemstones there is. Even ancient cultures - the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and Mayans - valued malachite for its intense color and effect. In many cultures, malachite was dedicated to a deity. For example, Venus, the Roman goddess of love, or Freya, the North Germanic goddess of fertility and love. To this day, esoterics attribute healing properties to malachite for women's ailments such as menstrual cramps and labor pains.
Malachite was not only made into jewelry and art objects, but was also used as a color pigment. In finely ground form, it served the Egyptians as eye shadow and also as a basis for the green color of wall paintings. Malachite pigments were also used in China, for example to decorate the famous Terracotta Army in Qin Shihuangdi's mausoleum.
Special Malachites
One of the most famous malachite jewelry sets is the "Queen Desideria's Malachite Parure" of the Swedish royal family.
Special occasions
Malachite is not assigned to any particular occasion.
occurrence of malachite
The best-known deposits used to be in the Urals near Yekaterinburg; the quarries there released malachite blocks weighing up to 20 tons. One of the most important deposits today is the Katanga region in Congo.
Other deposits of the gemstone are in Australia, Chile, Namibia, Zimbabwe and the USA.
jewelry with malachite
Malachite jewelry was already popular and sought after in ancient times. In Egypt, for example, malachite was made into amulets and scarabs. The intense green color of malachite was even used in powdered form as eye shadow and pigment for wall paintings.
We are happy to make your individual wishes come true and advise you on malachite jewelry or other gemstone jewelry. Simply contact us using the form below.
Gemstone selection at RENÉSIM
In addition to malachite, RENÉSIM also offers numerous other gemstones. You can buy these loose or have them set in a unique piece of jewelry.
Further articles
Some malachite gemstones exhibit pleochroism.
This means that a gemstone can be made up of different
has different colors at different viewing angles.
Buy gemstones
Gemstones in the Lexicon
Things to know
