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Malachite

· 1 min read · Materials

Malachite is a green copper mineral with concentric bands (3.5-4 on Mohs); very decorative but soft, sensitive to acids and to water.

Illustration: Malachite

Malachite is a copper carbonate of intense green with unmistakable concentric bands and circles. It has been used since ancient Egypt as a pigment and in jewelry, but it is soft and delicate.

Properties #

  • Composition: basic copper carbonate.
  • Hardness: 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale.
  • Color: green with lighter and darker bands.
  • Origins: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Russia, Zambia and Australia.
  • Treatments: usually stabilized with resin.

Uses in jewelry #

  • Cabochons, beads and pendants.
  • Studio and ethnic pieces.
  • Carvings and decorative objects.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

  • Unmistakable pattern.
  • Easy to carve.
  • Affordable.

Limitations #

  • Soft and scratches.
  • Reacts with acids.
  • Does not tolerate prolonged water or ultrasonic.

Care and cleaning #

  • Wipe with a damp cloth and dry at once.
  • Avoid acids, sweat and perfumes.
  • Malachite dust is toxic when cutting: wear a mask.

See also #

This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.