Malachite

Malachite is a vivid green stone with swirling bands, one of the most recognisable minerals in the world. It is also one of the stones in this guide that calls for real caution, because it is made of copper.

What it is

Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide, with a hardness of only 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. It forms in the upper, weathered zones of copper deposits, often in rounded, banded masses that look like kidneys or grapes. It is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Russia, Namibia, Australia and the south-western United States, among other places.

It is often found together with azurite, the blue copper carbonate, and mixed pieces of the two are sold as azurite malachite.

History and culture

The ancient Egyptians ground malachite for use as a green pigment and as eye paint, and the colour appears in tomb art. Malachite was also smelted as a copper ore, and some of the earliest copper working in the world used it. The name comes from the Greek for the mallow plant, because of the leaf-green colour.

In nineteenth-century Russia, deposits in the Ural Mountains produced large quantities of malachite, and a distinctive style of decoration developed, with columns, vases and whole rooms clad in thin veneers of the stone. Malachite rooms can be seen in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, a tradition that still defines the stone for many people.

What crystal traditions associate with it

In many crystal traditions, malachite is associated with transformation, emotional honesty and change, and with the heart chakra, reflecting its deep green colour and swirling pattern. Some traditions associate it with Scorpio or Capricorn in zodiac lists, though sources vary. These are symbolic readings, not claims about any effect.

How people use it

Malachite is worn as polished beads, cabochons and pendants, carved into small bowls and boxes, and kept as polished spheres and slabs. Some people hold a small polished piece in a quiet moment, and many simply enjoy the pattern, which differs in every piece.

Care and safety

Please read this section carefully.

• Malachite contains copper, and copper compounds can be toxic if swallowed. Never ingest malachite, never use it in drinking water, and never make an elixir or infusion with it. The indirect method does not make it safe either, because the stone can release copper into water.
• Dust from cutting or sanding malachite should not be inhaled. If you ever carve or grind it, use proper protection and wet methods. Polished pieces are a different matter, but treat broken or powdered stone with care.
• Malachite dissolves in acids, and even mild acids such as lemon juice or some cleaners can mark it. Avoid perfumes and sweat on jewellery.
• Do not soak it. Wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry at once.
• It is soft, and scratches and chips easily.
• Keep it away from children and pets, who may put objects in their mouths. Wash hands after handling raw or unpolished pieces.

Sourcing

Much of the world’s malachite comes from copper mining areas, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where copper and cobalt mining has documented problems of child labour and unsafe conditions. Ask a seller about provenance, and be aware that reconstituted malachite, made from powder and resin, and imitations in dyed stone or glass are common.

A note on health. Crystals are valued for beauty, meaning and ritual. There is no scientific evidence that they treat health conditions. If you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.

Frequently asked questions