Malachite is a form of copper ore, or hydrous copper carbonate that is an opaque, banded semi-precious stone which is a carbonate mineral, copper, and carbonate hydroxide. Hydrous copper carbonate is responsible for the green color of tarnished copper and bronze. The colors in the individual bands range from a very light green to deep forest green with occasional irregular black banding. Due to its opaque nature, malachite is usually cut and shaped into a cabochon or formed into beads.
Perhaps one of the first "gemstones" used by humans, the ancient Egyptians mined Malachite as early as 5000 BC. Malachite was mined in the eastern deserts of Egypt and the Sinai. It was not only used to craft jewelry, but also as a pigment in paint, cosmetic eye-shadow and in glazing.
Malachite was a valuable commodity in ancient China as well. Malachite was called "Shilu" for the primary source, Shilu in the Guangdong Province in southwestern China.
The primary source for malachite today is Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, with secondary sources in Australia, France, Morroco, and the USA. In the early 19th century, much of the malachite that decorates many cathedrals throughout Europe was found in the Ural Mountains of Russia. Malachite is the anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage.
Malachite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses with a "mammilary" crystal habit. Malachite is a soft material with a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Malachite has a refractive index of 1.655. Malachite has a waxy luster.
Chemical composition: Cu2CO3(OH)2
Semi-Precious Stones