Malachite Tumbled Stones
A smaller-sized malachite tumbled stone, produced from material mined in South Africa.
Being relatively soft, malachite is not the best stone for tumbling, but this green mineral is incredibly popular with collectors and widely used in alternative therapies.
Harder minerals such as quartz, agate, and jasper tolerate tumbling well and can take on a high polish. In contrast, stones that are softer and more fragile, like malachite, are prone to chipping, pitting, or wearing down. Because of this, these tumbled stones tend to have a more natural finish, often with a matte or satin lustre rather than the glossy polish seen in many other stones.
Tumbling involves rotating rough stones in a barrel, with water and grit, which smoothes and shapes the stones. Even when done gently, this process can leave subtle marks and minor pits. Larger pieces of malachite are often polished by hand to achieve a more ‘perfect’ finish, but this isn’t always possible with tumbled stones due to the high volumes produced.
Tumbled malachite from China can often appear brighter with a more superior finish. However, buying from China can carry the risk of receiving stones that have been enhanced, or, in some cases, are synthetic. These can be particularly difficult to identify, as natural stones are often mixed with those that have been altered.
The price of malachite has risen sharply over the past twelve months, although the exact reason for this remains unclear. At the same time, the quality, particularly of tumbled material, is not as good as it once was.
These smaller-sized malachite tumbled stones boast good colour and distinctive markings. Yet despite being just a standard grade, they’re significantly more expensive than higher-grade stones we’ve had in the past. This could be due to them being sustainably sourced, which drives up the price.
Larimar
