Probably every malachite is known to every person who has read Pavel Bazhov's tales about the mistress of the Copper Mountain in childhood, which owned all the Uralian treasures hidden underground. The whole story of this gem is composed of mystical events. In ancient times, people believed that malachite conducts the forces of the universe to Earth. A large number of beliefs and legends are associated with this stone, for example, that it can make a person invisible. It was believed that the Ural malachite can fulfill wishes!
The name "malachite": origin
The roots of the word malachite go back to Greek. There are two versions of the interpretation of this noun. According to one, the Greeks called it that stone because of its rich color - μολόχα - “green flower”. Another version says that the name comes from the word μαλακός - “soft”.
Indeed, malachite is distinguished by its fragility, it is unstable to external influences. Jewelers claim that the real Ural malachite loses its color and grows dull, even if dust just sits on it! It is noted that the softness of this mineral can turn into its advantage. After all, malachite lends itself well to polishing and polishing.
Colors characteristic of malachite
The mineral has a pleasant green color. In nature, there are three main shades: yellow-green, saturated green and almost colorless. However, unique specimens come across, the color of which varies from turquoise to emerald.
Stone history
The oldest malachite jewelry was found in Iraq 10.5 thousand years ago. And in Israel, malachite beads were found, whose age is nine millennia. In ancient Rome, malachite was used to create amulets and amulets. This mineral was extremely popular in China and India. In addition, it was used to make paints that did not lose their brightness for a long time. Proof of this are the tombs of the pharaohs. And the beauties from Ancient Egypt made malachite powder of eye shadow.
Ural malachite: the history of fishing in Russia
Until the 18th century, malachite was found only in the form of small nuggets. This mineral became popular only after the development of the Ural deposits began in Russia. It was the Russian miners who were able to find blocks of mineral that weighed several hundred tons. But the heaviest block had a weight of 250 tons. Discovered it in 1835.
The first malachite deposit was discovered in the forties of the 18th century. It is called Gumeshevskoe and is located at the source of the Chusovaya River. Thanks to the discovery of that mine in Russia, the production of small jewelry began. Rings and beads, earrings and pendants - Ural malachite stone was usually used together with other stones, most often precious.
The heyday of the field began after the discovery of the Mednorudnyanskoye field. It was then that a unique style of manufacturing products from this stone appeared, which was called Russian mosaic. Skillful stone-cutters sawed stones into the thinnest plates, picked up patterns and stuck on the base. After the grinding process began. Russian craftsmen created such Ural products from malachite that no observer could even doubt the solidity of the products.
The reserves of the Ural malachite were so rich that some craftsmen could afford the careless handling of this mineral. There are cases when the malachite crumbs, with which the craftsmen refused to work, fell into the pits in the pavements. Today, such wastefulness seems like a real madness, because even the smallest pieces are a real miracle.
The year 1726 was marked by the fact that the first workshop for processing malachite appeared in the Urals. And in 1765, by decree of Catherine the First, the first factory of the Ural malachite was opened - the Yekaterinburg lapidary. At the same time, it was a complex for the extraction and processing of this stone, a center for stone cutting and an educational institution for several generations of craftsmen.
The popularity of the mineral
This stone has become an adornment of houses of Russian and European nobility. It was even used to decorate rooms, for example, the Malachite living room of the Winter Palace. The artistic value of this masterpiece of Russian architecture is difficult to overestimate. The drawing is so skillfully selected that the joints between the plates are completely impossible to see. The columns of St. Isaac's Cathedral were lined with malachite. In the chambers of wealthy people, one could encounter objects such as a vase from Ural malachite, watches, snuff-boxes, caskets, and even fireplaces and countertops made of this mineral.
By the way, at that time it was very fashionable to collect interesting samples of various minerals, including malachite. Know even competed among themselves. The title of owner of the best collection was rightfully received by Empress Catherine II.
Types of Malachite
There are two types of Ural malachite - plisse and turquoise. Plisovy malachite is brittle, and therefore worse treatable. It is not used to create jewelry. Most often, this species is of interest to mineral scientists. Fans and experts collect samples of this mineral. A more common type of malachite is turquoise. Its structure is unique: asymmetric stripes and circles create a fancy pattern. Unique green patterns are appreciated by collectors and jewelers.
The end of the malachite era
At the end of the 19th century, this delicious mineral became available not only to very wealthy people, but also to nobles. Competitions in the number of malachite items in the houses stopped, the mineral became less commonly used in interiors. Apply malachite steel for the manufacture of paint, which covered the roofs of houses.
The revolution of 1917 led to the fact that stone production decreased significantly. This was due to the fact that the two main deposits - Mednorudnyanskoye and Gumeshevskoye - were severely depleted. At the end of the 19th century, the Gumeshevsky mine was seriously flooded. And therefore now exclusively extreme people visit this place. The Mednorudnyanskoye deposit is still operating now, only it is not malachite that is mined here, but copper ore. Today, Ural malachite is practically not found here, and therefore it is valued more and more.
Malachite business today
The Urals is far from the only place in the world where malachite deposits were discovered. Development is also underway in Altai. By the way, sometimes there are samples of Altai malachite, which in terms of beauty and quirkiness of the rings practically do not differ from samples of the Ural mineral. The modern leader in the supply of malachite is the Republic of the Congo. Malachite mined here differs from the Urals in the pattern consisting of even stripes. The mineral is mined in the UK, Chile, Australia, France and Cuba. However, the stones mined in these mines are significantly inferior in their external qualities to the Ural malachite.
Does malachite from the Urals have a future?
Experts have established that all the world's reserves of malachite can be attributed to the same type, and the appearance of the mineral is associated with the zonal oxidation of copper ores. That is, the probability that new deposits of malachite can be found in the Urals is extremely high.
For several years, Grigory Nikolayevich Vertushkov, a professor at Sverdlovsk University, has been collecting information that is somehow connected with copper and malachite deposits. He is sure that the researchers were mistaken and in fact the reserves of the Ural mines are not depleted. Grigory Nikolayevich claims that the two deposits are untouched by the deep reserves of this unique mineral.
The most famous products from malachite
The Malachite Hall mentioned above is just a storehouse of products from this mineral. Here you can see vases and tables, bowls and columns. It all took about two hundred pounds (by the way, 1 pound is 16.38 kg). Almost all products are made in the style of "Russian mosaic". 1,500 pounds of malachite was needed for lining the columns of the largest Orthodox church in St. Petersburg - St. Isaac's Cathedral.
In the Pitti Palace, located in Florence, there is a malachite table, preserved from the heyday of the malachite craft in Russia. For the London exhibition in 1851, an incredible collection of items was made: doors, tables and chairs, grandfather clocks, vases and a fireplace.
Who should wear malachite products
To whom is Ural malachite suitable? Astrologers advise wearing jewelry from this stone to representatives of such zodiac signs as Capricorn, Libra, Scorpio and Taurus. Malachite is suitable for people of creative professions. This stone will bring benefit to writers, artists, artists. Malachite will help women to remain youthful and attractive for a long time.
How to distinguish real malachite from fake?
Ural malachite, the photo of which you have already seen, is very popular, and therefore its synthetic analogue appeared on the market. To create a fake, plastic and glass are used.
How to distinguish natural stone from fake?
- Real malachite is cool to the touch. Imitation plastic - warm.
- Glass stone is distinguished by the presence of transparent inclusions on the surface.
- Imitations, which are made on the basis of other stones with the addition of painting and varnish, can be distinguished from natural stone by dropping ammonia on them: real malachite will acquire a blue tint, and the fake will not change.
- You can also distinguish genuine Ural malachite from fake using vinegar or lemon juice. True, the surface of natural stone after such a check will begin to bubble strongly.
Magical and healing properties of the Ural malachite
Giving green mineral magical properties began in the Middle Ages. Small pieces of malachite were hung over the crib, believing that they would drive away evil spirits and the baby would sleep peacefully. To protect an adult, malachite was engraved - usually in the form of the sun.
It was believed that malachite is a good helper in love rituals. He was often mentioned in fortune-telling and magical books as a means of attracting and holding love. Traditional healers with the help of malachite treated allergies and skin diseases, asthma and migraines.