Malachite: meaning, origins and properties

Malachite is a highly aesthetic natural stone. In jewelry, it is prized for its intense, vivid green color, ranging from pale to dark green, on which rings, ribbons and light, dark, almost black bands are patterned. Discover our Malachite stone beads and jewelry components and get inspired by our gemstone jewelry tutorials to create earrings, necklaces, bracelets and even anklets.

What is the significance of malachite?

The name "malachite" has several origins.
One source suggests that the gemstone derives its name from the Latin "malachites", meaning "through", and the Greek "malakhê", meaning mauve. The color of the stone particularly resembles that of mallow leaves.
Another hypothesis explains the origin of its name by the Greek word "malakos", which can be translated as "softness", due to the stone's fragility and sensitivity to heat.

The origin of malachite

Malachite is a fine stone that has been known and appreciated for many centuries.
In ancient Egypt, this gemstone was associated with Thoueris, the hippopotamus goddess and protector of motherhood, and was believed to protect pregnant women. It was also a symbol of rebirth and eternal youth.
In ancient Greece, the temple dedicated to Artemis, the goddess of hunting and wilderness, was decorated with objects and ornaments inlaid with malachite stone.

Since ancient times, this stone has often been used as a talisman to combat the evil eye, tragedy and negative energies.
The Romans believed that malachite could protect them against lightning strikes.
Greek soldiers wore it around their wrists or necks to avoid injury on the battlefield.
During the Middle Ages, it was said to ward off the evil eye and protect children against childhood diseases.

In Antiquity, however, it was put to an entirely different use. It was ground to a powder and used as a green pigment (mountain green) in various iconographic paintings.
Russians have appreciated it for centuries as a decorative stone, as seen in St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

What are the properties of malachite?

This highly aesthetic green stone is soft. It has a hardness of 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale and a density of 3.60 to 4.05.
It is composed mainly of copper carbonate and forms naturally in copper mines. Occasionally, it may contain other minerals such as azurite. The stone takes on both a blue and green color, and is then calledAzurite-malachite.

What color is malachite?

This fine stone is highly prized for its green color, ranging from pale to dark green. When polished, rings, ribbons and bands of light, dark and almost black underline its intense, brilliant color.
Malachite is opaque to translucent, with a silky, vitreous luster.

Where to find malachite?

The main deposits are found in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Congo, the United States, France, Italy, Israel, Zambia, Rhodesia, Russia and Zaire.

What are malachite's virtues?

Lithotherapists attribute many virtues to this green stone. It's a reassuring stone, said to reduce stress and boost self-confidence. Soothing and calming, it brings inner peace.
It is also said to facilitate persuasion, enabling clear, calm speech.

Malachite stone acts primarily on the heart chakra (fourth chakra). It is said to restore balance to the soul, developing positive energies and absorbing negative, polluting waves. It promotes change and improves relationships with others.
In lithotherapy, malachite worn as a necklace or bracelet is said to balance the sacral chakra (second chakra).

How do I purify and recharge a malachite stone?

There are several ways to purify a malachite stone:

• with spring or distilled water: simply rinse for a few minutes, then wipe gently with a soft, clean cloth. Avoid tap water, as its limescale could damage or scratch the stone.
• by fumigation with incense, sandalwood or sage: to do this, pass the stone over the smoke for a few minutes.

Once purified, you can recharge it in sunlight or moonlight for a few hours. If you choose sunlight, choose a time when its rays are not too strong, as malachite is sensitive to heat.
To amplify this technique, you can place your malachite stone on a cluster of quartz, rock crystal or amethyst.

How to wear malachite

Malachite is equally at home in gold and silverjewelry. That's why you can sublimate it with a Gold-Filled or Gold-Platedjewelry primer, for a luxurious, bewitching effect. But you can also mount malachite jewels with 925 Silver or Stainless Steel primers for a more discreet but equally refined look.

In lithotherapy, it's advisable to combine certain stones to enhance their benefits. However, malachite's energy is too strong. It should therefore be worn alone, as it could cancel out the virtues of the other stones.
If you're simply looking for a pretty effect or color harmony, combine your malachite with the stones you like.