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The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Stones - History, Myths and Lore /  Amethyst /  Aquamarine /  Aragonite /  Aventurine /  Black Tourmaline /  Bloodstone /  Carnelian /  Celestite /  Citrine /  Fluorite /  Hematite /  Labradorite /  Lapis Lazuli /  Malachite /  Moonstone /  Pyrite /  Quartz (Rock Crystal) /  Rose Quartz /Selenite /  Seraphinite  / Smoky Quartz /  Sodalite

Malachite

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

Malachite is a favorite stone of many for the beauty of its one-of-a-kind banded designs of light to dark green color.  Because of its colorful designs it is easily recognizable.  It's name is thought to have been derived from the Greek word "malache" meaning "mallow" (a green herb), or possibly from the Greek word for "soft" which is "malakos".  Either way, it's name would be very fitting, not only from its obvious green hues, but because Malachite is also a very soft stone.  It is fragile and easily scratched or chipped, and sometimes may becomes dull over time through handling. 

Malachite's green color comes from the copper contained within the stone, and the presence of water is what affects the various shades of greens - the more water in the copper, the lighter the green...whereas the less water it contains, the darker the green will appear.  Although its massive carvable forms are well known, Malachite's crystalline forms are much rarer and only recently becoming widely available to the average mineral collector.  One of its more unique habits is its fine acicular crusts and tufts, at times appearing as a mat of thin hairs or as a carpet of green velvet. Another unusual habit is its stalactitic formations. 

Malachite is a chemical twin of Azurite, and can form from Azurite as it oxidizes.  Because of this, the two stones are commonly found side by side, and sometimes melding into one another.    

Malachite is sensitive to acid, heat and hot waters, and ammonia.  A polished specimen will become dull when washed in water and should also never be washed with acids or any product containing ammonia.  If you attempt to cut or carve Malachite, beware because the dust of the stone is highly toxic. 

General Information: 

*Chemistry:  Cu2(CO3)(OH)2, Copper Carbonate Hydroxide. 

*Class:  Carbonate.  

*Group:  Malachite. 

*Color:  Banding or swirls of light and dark green, or (if crystalline), just dark green. 

*Luster:  Dull in massive forms; Silky as crystals. 

*Crystal System:  Monoclinic; 2/m.  

*Crystal Habit:  Massive forms are botryoidal, stalactitic or globular. Crystals are acicular or fibrous and form in tufts and encrustations.  Frequently found as pseudomorphs of Azurite. 

*Cleavage:  Good in one direction but rarely seen. 

*Fracture:  Conchoidal to splintery. 

*Hardness:  3.5 - 4. 

*Specific Gravity:  3.9+ (slightly heavy). 

*Streak:  Light green. 

*Other Characteristics:  Weakly effervesces in acid. 

*Notable Occurrences:  Shaba, Congo (Zaire); Tsumeb, Nambia; Ural mountains, Russia; Chile; Mexico; Australia; England; Arizona, U.S. 

*Best Field Indicators:  Color banding or swirls, softness, associations and reactions to acid. 

*Uses:  As mineral specimens; a minor ore of copper; ornamental; pigment; jewelry. 

Myth & Lore: 

Mining Malachite began as early as 4000 BC by ancient Egyptians.  It was ground into powder and worn as eye makeup as far back as 3000 BC.  This very same powder pigment is used by painters under the name of "mountain green."  Malachite has been dubbed "The Magic Stone" for it is said to bring good luck, safe travel, and protection.  It is also believed to bring good health, success, and constancy of affection.  In the Middle ages, malachite was worn to protect from black magic and sorcery.  In Ancient Greece amulets for children were made of malachite.  In the New Stone Age came the discovery of the possibility of extracting certain metals from the ores in which they generally occur.  Probably the first such material to be used was malachite, then already in use as a cosmetic and easily reduced to copper in a strong fire.  It is impossible to be precise about the time and place of this discovery, but its consequences were tremendous.  Namely it led to the search for other metallic ores and to the development of metallurgy. 

Malachite is associated with the powerful love goddesses, who could be either benign or vengeful — one being Our Lady of the Mountains, worshipped in central Russia.  This goddess was associated with the Roman goddess Venus, who, if appeased, would protect the miners from harm.  Freya, the Norse goddess of love and beauty, was another associated with the beauty of Malachite. 

Malachite is used as a powerful stone for protective magick, especially if traveling by air or on busy roadways.  It is also good for amplifying wishes, and can be used in prosperity magick. 

It is believed that by gazing or holding Malachite it will relax the nervous system and calm emotional upsets, bringing a sense of peace and harmony. 

Malachite is the anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage.  

Metaphysical properties: 

Astrological Sign(s):  Taurus.

Element(s):  Earth

Chakra(s):  Heart.

Prosperity and good fortune.

Protection, especially for children and for travel.

Intuition.

Clears path for transformation.

Helps relinquish fears

Clarifies emotions.

Peace and harmony.

Enriching magick.

Fidelity.

Stabilization.

*Gives physical aid in treating: Heart or lungs; emotional problems; migraines.  Aids in regenerating on a cellular level.   

*NOTE:  Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and procedures, and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. 

My own thoughts and experiences: 

While viewing the aid of the different stones that correspond to the different Chakras, and whereas the lower Chakra stones of Black Tourmaline which helps you first find the silence in darkness needed to recognize the first spark...of Bloodstone which helps you connect with Ancestral wisdom and knowledge...of Carnelian which energizes and throws passion into the spark...of Aragonite that awakens you to all the possibilities of your new-found knowledge... and then of Citrine giving you the energy, strength and willpower to move the spark into the physical realm, while Gold Tiger's Eye gives you the courage and confidence to begin manifestation... I've found all these things work from a very personal and inner level.  But now here comes Malachite.  And Malachite's most wondrous gift is that it helps you *trust* and bring out into the open all those gut feelings emanating from the lower Chakras!  It is when the gut feeling is first felt with the heart.  And it is at that time that the heart will begin to bring it outside of one's self. 

Malachite does the balancing act.  Being known as the "Stone of Transformation" or the "Stone of Protection," it can offer you the combined efforts of keeping you safe during the process of transformation and during the first steps in manifesting your deepest needs and desires. 

This stone has a very strong and feminine feel to it.  It is the power behind the throne stone. 

End.

Sources: 

"The Illustrated Directory of Healing Crystals" ~ Cassandra Eason 

http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/carbonat/malachit/malachit.htm 

http://www.igmla.com/LegendofStones.html - Mahogany 

http://www.all-that-gift.com/se/malachite.html 

© Patricia J. Martin 2006 

Website:  http://www.peacefulpaths.com/