Do you know the fragile ornamental stone malachite? They say that he fulfills the desire of his owner. He attracts many artists to create artistic values. This mineral is great for making jewelry and decorative items. After all, it is the most beautiful stone among the minerals of all shades of green. In addition, it is also patterned. Its shades are poured by a magnificent natural ornament, resembling a unique lace pattern. Well, we suggest you plunge into the history of the discovery of the stone, find out what malachite looks like and what miraculous properties it has.
Historical Stone Information
Natural malachite is a mineral that is an aqueous copper carbonate. It combines practical use and natural beauty. Even in the Neolithic era, ancient times it was used as copper ore. In those days, copper could be mined only from malachite. The development of this metal was the beginning of a new period in history - the Eneolithic. People learned to melt copper needles, jewelry, tips for spears and arrows. A man with a lot of copper mined from malachite, held a high status in society.
The ancient Egyptians and the inhabitants of Israel actively discovered more and more new deposits. The Egyptians pounded malachite into powder, added fat there and got eye shadow. This wonderful gem has served the active development of crafts, the spread of agriculture, animal husbandry. In Egypt, the named stone was associated with the name of the goddess Hathor. She was considered the patroness of female beauty and fertility.
Why did you get such an interesting name - "malachite"? The first version is from the word "mallow", because the appearance of the stone in the section is very similar to a leaf of this flower. Another version is from the ancient Greek word malakos, meaning "soft".
What does malachite look like?
The stone was endowed with extraordinary beauty by copper and geological processes in nature. This mineral is growing randomly. Dark and light layers are constantly alternating in it. The optical properties of each stone are different, and in the context you can observe amazing stains of all shades of green.
Malachite is a valuable ornamental material. You are interested in knowing what malachite looks like. Its crystals are formed in the form of thin needles that do not grow one at a time, but by entire families. They begin to grow from the center and turn into radiant balls called spherulites. Over time, they grow on each other and form splices in the form of clusters. Their growth depends on different copper solutions, so each layer of the mineral has its own color. Quality is determined by how malachite looks:
- Turquoise color. It has a solid structure, so it is appreciated by the craftsmen.
- With velvet and fleece effect. It is distinguished by its large granularity and is difficult to process.
- "Curly" mineral. The stain patterns of this stone resemble birch foliage swaying in the wind.
Malachite color
This mineral has many similarities with turquoise, it does not have one pure color. The color of malachite is one of the most beautiful green tones. One shade of green is replaced by another. Sometimes these transitions are clearer, and sometimes less noticeable. Look at the photo of malachite, and you will see how the bluish-green color changes to bright green, then goes into the bottle. and then in dark green, almost black.
If the malachite slice is polished, then its patterns can be simply admired. There you can see peculiar rings, waves, interweaving of stripes. Samples with a pattern of thin concentric rings are of high value. They are also called the "peacock eye." The whole effect of malachite in its unique stripes of all shades of green. Depending on the pattern, malachite is:
- looped;
- tape;
- cockard;
- streamy.
Description of physical and chemical properties
What does the common mineral malachite consist of? 57% of this stone is copper bicarbonate. The remainder is oxides of calcium, phosphorus and silicon. It also includes carbon monoxide and water.
The mineral is characterized by an opaque opaque, velvety or silky sheen. The crystal can split, after which spherical crystals form. If you heat a vessel with malachite, then water vapor and carbon dioxide will be released from it, and only black copper oxide will remain. Malachite is also well soluble in acids.
The main deposits of malachite in different countries
The mineral is allowed for the manufacture of not only jewelry, crafts, but also for finishing work. In Russia, most of this gem is mined in the Ural Mountains. There are many already discovered, as well as still unexplored deposits. And in the world the largest volume of production is in Congo. Many malachite deposits are also found in North America, England, Mexico, Namibia and Kazakhstan.
In Russia, the processing of malachite began in the XVII century. Then, huge malachite monoliths were found at the Gumishevsky mine. Since then, the mineral began to be used to decorate expensive palace interiors.
In the 19th century, Russians began to bring tens of tons of malachite from the Urals. Who was in the State Hermitage, then saw the famous Malachite Hall, for the decoration of which went 2 tons of green mineral. The Catherine’s Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace is also decorated with this gem. The altar of St. Isaac's Cathedral is decorated with amazing in size (10 m in height) and beauty malachite columns.
Miracle abilities of a stone
Since ancient times, our ancestors knew about the healing and magical abilities of malachite. The stone helps to get rid of skin diseases, as well as diseases of the joints and bones. If you wear a malachite bracelet, it promotes good breathing, makes asthma attacks less acute, improves visual acuity and relieves toothache.
It is used to reduce pressure, relieve seizures, improve mood, treat arthritis, fractures, epilepsy. He is able to relieve dizziness and manifestations of motion sickness. The mineral is useful for the pancreas and thyroid gland. Prolonged wearing of jewelry with malachite reduces the risk of cancer, increases immunity, favorably affects the nervous system. The green stone is also called the "obstetric stone" or female stone, which relieves pain during menstruation and before childbirth.
The magical properties of the mineral are used extensively. With its help, in Ancient Russia they tried to understand the language of all living things around. Today, esotericists say that a malachite bracelet, ring or beads can open the heart for great love. They help a person achieve equilibrium and a harmonious state.
It is important to know who the malachite stone is suitable for. First of all, it should be worn by people who feel lonely. This talisman perfectly feeds with internal energy and spiritual forces. Most of the benefits can be obtained from the stone, if straightened with copper.
Who should choose malachite?
Creative people very often resort to the help of malachite. It helps to draw attention to its owner. They say that the stone brings happiness to the family, so it should be worn by young couples. To be desirable for a man, a woman is also advised to wear a ring or beads with malachite.
The best qualities will be able to show the owners of the gem with the zodiac sign Libra. It is to them that malachite promises health and tranquility. Feel free to wear jewelry with malachite Taurus and Lions. He will help Taurus in the family and career, and Leo in the fulfillment of desires. Do not wear green stone jewelry for Scorpions, Crayfish and Virgo.
Jewelry from the wonderful malachite
Many of us in childhood read Bazhov's tales about the mistress of the Copper Mountain, which speaks of a malachite box. This stone is also suitable for the manufacture of vases, bowls, cladding plates for expensive interiors. They are inlaid with furniture. Jewelers use the most beautiful facets of malachite. For jewelry, special inserts are used - cabochons. Today, jewelry shops make malachite beads, rings, pendants, earrings, crosses, necklaces. Many souvenir shops around the world offer malachite products.