About Malachite

Malachite  has swirling patterns of light and dark green, this stone has come to represent sensuality and beauty. It has been described by poets as spring grass swaying in the wind.

Ancient Egypt was one of the first to wear and make art out of malachite, around 4,000 BC. Archeologist have found that malachite was ground to powder and used as paint to color Egytian tomb paintings. It was also ground and used as cosmetics and was believed to be Cleopatras favorite.  She was even buried with a large vase of it to use in her afterlife.

During the Renaissance period Malachite was also used as paint and it is thought that many of the green colors in Michelango's Sistine Chapel were from malachite based oil paints.

During the Victorian times Malachite was dangled from baby cribs to keep evil and bay and to help with peaceful sleep.

Russian Romanov dynasy is when malachite became a luxury and by 1820 was paired with gold and diamonds for stunning jewelry.

Malachite is mainly hydrous copper carbonate, which is responsible for its green colors.

Chemical Composition: Cu2CO3(Oh)2
Color Vivid, bluish green to green, usually banded in two or more tones of green; may have sheen
Hardness 3-1/2 to 4
Specific Gravity 3.75 - 4.10