Malachite the green beauty

Malachite

I love the intense green color of this gemstone  and when wire wrapping with copper (my favorite) The energy is out of this world J. To me malachite is one of the best healing stones specially with matters of the heart.

Scientific Properties:

Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, with the formula Cu2CO3(OH).This opaque, green banded mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses, in fractures and spaces, deep underground, where the water table and hydrothermal fluids provide the means for chemical precipitation. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms. Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.Typical malachite is laminated and whether or not microbes intervene in its formation is unknown.

The stone's name derives (via Latin: molochītis, Middle French: melochite, and Middle English melochites)  malāchē, "mallow". The mineral was given this name due to its resemblance to the leaves of the Mallow plant.

Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. The pigment is moderately lightfast, very sensitive to acids and varying in color. The natural form was being replaced by its synthetic form, verditer amongst other synthetic greens. It is also used for decorative purposes, such as in the Malachite Room in the Hermitage, which features a huge malachite vase. "The Tazza", a large malachite vase, one of the largest pieces of malachite in North America and a gift from Tsar Nicholas II, stands as the focal point in the center of the room of Linda Hall Library.

Archeological evidence indicates that the mineral has been mined and smelted at Timna valley in Israel for over 3,000 years. Since then, malachite has been used as both an ornamental stone and as a gemstone.

ormula mass       221.1 g/mol

Color Bright green, dark green, blackish green, commonly banded in masses; green to yellowish green in transmitted light

Crystal habit        Massive, botryoidal, stalactitic, crystals are acicular to tabular prismatic

Crystal system     Monoclinic—prismatic H-M Symbol (2/m) Space group P21/a

Cleavage     Perfect on {201} fair on {010}

Fracture     Subconchoidal to uneven

Mohs scale hardness    3.5–4.0

Luster        Adamantine to vitreous; silky if fibrous; dull to earthy if massive

Streak        light green

Diaphaneity         Translucent to opaque

Specific gravity   3.6–4

Optical properties        Biaxial (–)

Refractive index  nα = 1.655 nβ = 1.875 nγ = 1.909

Birefringence      δ = 0.254

Mystical, Magical and Healing properties of Malachite  

Malachite is a lovely, natural amalgam of minerals, which helps the wearer to remember and renew the connection to the All. It freshens the outlook and allows us to touch our core self without the fear that generally holds us back. It allows us to touch our child within and to be reborn into the light. It is soothing to the soul, and releases stress to help create new beginnings.

Malachite is great for increasing ones concentration skills and is quite beneficial to ones physical, as well as psychic, vision. Malachite helps to find a balanced path between the desires of ego and of our higher Will, aiding us in removing blockages and inspiring us with ideas which will help to manifest those goals.

Malachite is believed to be a strong protector of children. It is said to protect the wearer from accidents and protects travelers. Malachite has been used to aid success in business and protect against undesirable business associations. It is a stone of balance in relationships.

Malachite is always green, usually in banded tones varying from very dark green to a mellow green. Most malachite comes from Zaire, Chile and Australia.

Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used malachite for jewelry and ground it to use as eye shadow. It is used in amulets to protect against the evil eye. In the Middle Ages it was used to protect children from witches and other dangers.

Malachite is a stone that should not be used for physical healing. Malachite has been called the "mirror of the soul". It is variable in its condition. It reaches the inner feelings of the person and reflects what is there, negative or positive. It is so beautiful that one would like to wear it in jewelry, but caution must be used when wearing Malachite. It will always reflect how you feel, if you feel negative don't wear Malachite. It reminds us that we have a dual nature and it is up to each person to know and rule his own person. To help get rid of nightmares, keep a piece of Malachite in your bedroom.

Malachite promotes growth and builds up strength in many ways. It is the stone of pregnant woman, and additionally it is a successful remedy against heart pains and cardiac asthma. The optic nerves in the eyes can be strengthened with daily bathing of the eyes in malachite water.

Malachite has wonderful healing properties, and because of the high copper content of the stone it has a very steady pulsing electromagnetic energy field. This gemstone is told to absorb negative energy from the auric field cleansing it, thus balancing the wearer and protecting them from the effects negative energies.

Using this stone, one can counteract self-destructive romantic tendencies and help encourage true, pure love. Malachite is also good for enhancing emotional stability and balance in general. It can decrease one's tendency to radiation illness, asthma, arthritis, and tumors.

Energy: Receptive

Element: Earth

Powers: Power, protection, love, peace, business success

Malachite is worn to detect impending danger, legend tells us that this stone breaks into pieces to warn it's wearer of the forthcoming danger.

This stone has long been used is magical rights, used to lend extra energy and power. Wear it, hold it or place it on the alter to increase your ability to send power toward your magical goal.

Though the stone is a tranquil green-blue it is often used in protective magic, particularly if that which involves children.

Beads or pendants of malachite are worn to guard against negativity and physical dangers, wearing a malachite that touches your skin near your heart expands your ability to love, and in so draws love to you.

It is an excellent stone and quite valuable to those who feel as if they are at the end of their rope; however, caution must be used when wearing this stone, as it amplifies whatever energy you project!

I hope you enjoyed the information on malachite

Bonnie Jordan of Jordan's Jewelry Designs

Information Sources:

The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, 2003

Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith, PhD, 2000

Crystal Enchantments by D.J. Conway, 1999

Smithsonian Handbooks Gemstones by Cally Hall, 1994

Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham, 2002

Chakra Healing & Karmic Awareness by Keith Sherwood, 2005

The Illustrated Directory of Crystal Healing by Cassandra Eason, 2003

Healing Crystals and Gemstones by Dr. Flora Peschek-Bohmer, Gisela Schrieber, 2002

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