Malachite is a beautiful green gemstone with distinctive black banding, 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 exposure to the heat from a hot oven as this can cause it to crack. It is very porous hence must not be allowed to come into contact with water or moisture and although it has a protective coating, this can over time be washed away.
With regards to crystal healing, Malachite is said to assist with physical pain, asthma, arthritis, swollen joints, tumours, broken bones and torn muscles. It enhances the immune system and aids toothache. It is a "stone of transformation" assisting one in changing situations and stimulates instinctive and intuitive reasoning allowing for change which facilitates advancement. It can assist with the clearing and activating of all chakras and is helpful in stimulating the heart and throat chakra. Some say its name comes 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 and during the Middle Ages it was worn to protect from black magic and sorcery. In Ancient Greece amulets for children were made from it.
It is believed that gazing at a piece of Malachite or even just 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 used as one of the first green pigments in Egypt and China and the Egyptians probably used it as eye paint even before the first Egyptian dynasty. Green pigment has been found on tomb paintings from the Fourth Dynasty onwards. In Western China Malachite is found in many paintings from the ninth and tenth centuries. The Europeans did not use it very often during medieval times, but it was very popular during the Renaissance
The anniversary gemstone for the 13th year of marriage, Malachite is graded 3.5 to 4 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness and although very popular for use in jewellery, it must be handled with care.
Further reading:
Malachite
Malachite
Malachite
Our collection of Malachite jewellery
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