Stone Mania

Malachite is a beautiful green gemstone with black bands.  It is very delicate so must be handled with great care and protected from scratches and knocks.  It is also advisable to avoid large temperature changes such as opening a hot oven whilst wearing malachite as this can cause it to crack.

Malachite is very porous and hence must not be allowed to come into contact with water or moisture.  It does have a protective coating but repeated contact with water can remove this.  The only way to clean malachite is with a soft cloth or drop of natural oil, olive oil is ideal.  Place the oil on the gemstone, gently spread it around, leave it for half an hour or so and then then wipe the excess off.

With regards to crystal healing, malachite is said to assist with physical pain, asthma, arthritis, swollen joints, tumours, broken bones and torn muscles.  It also enhances the immune system and aids toothache.  Malachite is a "stone of transformation" assisting one in changing situations.  It stimulates instinctive and intuitive reasoning allowing for change which facilitates advancement. 

Malachite can assist with the clearing and activating of all chakras and is helpful in stimulating the heart and throat chakra. 

Some say the name malachite came from the Greek word "malakos" meaning "soft", whilst others believe it came from "malhe" which means "grass".

Malachite is known to have been mined as early as 4000 BC by the Ancient Egyptians.  During the Middle Ages it was worn to protect from black magic and sorcery.  In Ancient Greece amulets for children were made from malachite.

It is believed that gazing at malachite or holding it, relaxes the nervous system and calms stormy emotions.  It is said to bring harmony into one's life and gives knowledge and patience.

Malachite was one of the first green pigments and was first used in Egypt and China.  The Egyptians probably used the pigment as eye paint even before the first Egyptian dynasty.  Pigment from malachite can be found on tomb paintings from the Fourth Dynasty onwards.  In Western China it is found in many paintings from the ninth and tenth centuries.  The Europeans did not use malachite very frequently during medieval times, but it was popular during the Renaissance.

Malachite is the anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage and is graded 3.5 to 4 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

The following links offer further reading on malachite

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachite
http://www.gemologyonline.com/malachite.html
http://www.gemstoneeducation.com/Malachite.htm