$100 trillion per gram, or 19 most expensive substances in the world (20 photos)

Malachite stone is one of the most beautiful minerals. Malachite is characterized by unusual patterns, reminiscent of intertwined rings of different diameters and thicknesses. These patterns are especially noticeable on a polished product, as well as on a chip or cut. The most valuable mineral is considered to be the one that has thin concentric rings; it is also called the “peacock eye”. That is why they try to specially highlight such patterns during processing. The color of malachite is varied and depends on the deposit of the crystal.

History and origin

What the word “malachite” means is not known for certain. Most scientists believe that it is derived from the word "mallow", the name of a plant with bright green leaves, and comes from the Greek language.

Green malachite

Malachite is a very beautiful ornamental stone of rich green color. Shades range from light green to turquoise and dark green, almost to black. A description of malachite will be incomplete without mentioning its unusual cut pattern: alternating light and dark tones of green with impenetrable matte blackness. Rings, regular-shaped circles, ellipses, “eyes” with dark pupils, intricately intertwined stripes, ribbons, even streams of petrified water - all this is malachite. The pattern on the surface of the stone fascinates, drawing you in as if into an abyss.

Malachite also has a soft velor appearance. Sometimes it seems like velvet. It is not surprising that the textural properties provided the malachite stone with the status of a symbol and one of the main treasures of the Urals, despite the fact that many other, more valuable stones were and are being mined in its depths. After Pavel Bazhov sang him in the tale “The Malachite Box”, the whole reading Russia learned about him.

Historically, this mineral was mined in North and Central Africa. The oldest mines are six thousand years old - they are the same age as Ancient Egypt and were of great importance for the formation of the “country of Kemet” as a state. The ancient Egyptians, as well as the Hellenes, Hittites, Philistines and other peoples of antiquity, obtained copper from malachite, which for a long time was the main material for the production of tools. In fact, it was malachite that ensured the formation of the entire Bronze Age.

This stone began to be used as a semi-precious and ornamental stone only in the late Middle Ages, when more cost-effective methods for producing copper were invented, and the malachite deposits available to Europeans were depleted. By this time, technological progress had made it possible to pinpoint cleavage of malachite blocks to produce mosaic plates. The properties of malachite, such as low hardness combined with viscosity, make this stone the most convenient raw material for processing. Most of the vases, panels, and other decorative items made from “Ural greenery” are made using the “Russian mosaic” technique - thin plates of stone, precisely following the texture pattern.

This is interesting: there are not so many large malachite items carved from solid stone. Large blocks of this mineral are rare in nature.

Malachite stone

In addition to industrial applications, ancient people attached great importance to this gem for human health. There is a legend (it is difficult to establish the truth over the years) that in Ancient Egypt (the era of the Old Kingdom) a cholera epidemic once broke out. Only the slaves in the malachite mines did not get sick. After this, the malachite bracelet became a common accessory among the Egyptian nobility: not jewelry, but the healing properties of malachite were valued.

Powder made from crushed gems was used by fashionistas of antiquity as a cosmetic product, a prototype of eye shadow. Malachite powder was used for ritual purposes.

How to spot a fake

Unfortunately, it is difficult to avoid counterfeits of any valuable items. Gems were no exception - fakes are widespread on the jewelry market. Fake stones are used to make beads and earrings and then sold under the guise of the natural mineral malachite. There are several criteria by which you can recognize a fake:

• if the color of the beads contains brownish colors, it can be argued that the stone is grown artificially;
• transparent inclusions indicate that the fake is made of glass;
• natural material has a green color with slight gradients, nothing more;
• fake plastic seems warm, while natural stone is cold.

Silver brooch SL with malachite and cubic zirconia (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)

The characteristics of the stone may vary depending on the deposit, but all parameters can usually be clarified with the manufacturer or seller. If they refuse to provide you with data, you should think about the authenticity of the product and conduct a test with ammonia. A natural crystal will turn white from alcohol, but a fake crystal will not change color. Suitable natural stone jewelry can be found in specialized stores, whose dealer status is usually confirmed by certificates.

Physicochemical characteristics

Malachite is a complex copper carbonate. Contains copper oxide, water and carbon dioxide, with copper up to 57% in the composition. It is copper that gives the characteristic green color. Iron acts as an impurity that provides additional shades.

The old name of the mineral is “carbonic copper greens.” It was applied to crushed, powdered malachite.

Hardness - up to 4 Mohs units. Slightly higher than that of pure gold and silver (without jewelry additives). The main Ural gem is inferior in hardness to glass; it is easily scratched with a steel knife, but with difficulty with a copper one.

The structure is crystalline, the crystal structure is needle-like, lamellar or prismatic. When subjected to mechanical action, the crystals split, forming spheroid or dendroid shapes (similar to balls or dried trees).

Mining zones

Physicochemical characteristics make this stone a frequent companion of copper ores, native copper and its other formations - for example, chalcopyrite, azurite, goethite. An important circumstance: the rock must be of hydrothermal origin, that is, hot underground springs must take part in its formation.

The main deposits of Russian malachite, located in the Ural Mountains, have now been completely depleted. Except for one thing - Korovinsko-Reshetnikovsky. There are small deposits in Altai.

Among other countries, Kazakhstan, Great Britain (County of Cornwall), France and Germany can boast of malachite mining zones. But the main supplier of this gem to the world market is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a large state in Equatorial Africa.

Place of Birth

Historically, the mineral was mined in Central and North Africa. The age of the first deposits is estimated at six thousand years. The African continent still holds its position today. The main supplier of malachite to the world market is Congo, a large democratic republic in equatorial Africa.

In addition to Africans, the county of Cornwall in the UK, Kazakhstan, Germany and France can boast of gem deposits. The main Russian mines of the Urals are currently exhausted. There is only one left - the Korovinsko-Reshetnikovskoye field. Small reserves remained in Altai.

Colors and varieties

The main color of malachite is green, in tints and shades from very light to dark. Unlike other valuable stones, varieties of malachite do not have their own names, although de facto they exist.

Round malachite

Stones of African origin differ from Ural stones in the regular shape of the rings, as well as their size - the circles and rings on the cut of the “African” are generally larger than those of the “Ural”. In addition, the color of the “African” is more contrasting; the Ural gems are not so bright.

Natural stone has the following subtypes:

1. Velvet, also known as plush. The texture of the stone looks like velvet, velor or suede. Fine-grained, difficult to process, but products made from it are especially beautiful.

   
   Velvet malachite

2. Finely patterned. The pattern on the cut resembles birch leaves. Rarely found, especially valued in the Urals. Pavel Bazhov was inspired by this particular type of stone.

   
   Finely patterned malachite

3. Turquoise, or pseudomalachite. Strictly speaking, this is not malachite at all, but another stone with a similar texture, distinguished by a turquoise tint of color. Refers to copper phosphates. Harder than true malachite.

   
   Pseudomalachite

Sometimes admixtures of other minerals of copper formations, in particular chrysocolla, are found in the composition of the stone. They also change the color, pattern and texture of malachite.

Color varieties

The color of any variety of malachite is green. The specimens differ from each other in shades and patterns. Based on this, the mineral is divided into the following types:

• Finely patterned. A rare variety of mineral, which was especially valued in the Urals. A cut of a stone represents a pattern in the form of birch leaves. It is interesting that it was this type of mineral that became the inspiration of Pavel Bazhov.
• Velvet (or plush). This species is difficult to process, as it has a fine-grained structure. And the texture of the mineral resembles suede, velor or velvet, which is what gave the stone its name.
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• Turquoise (or pseudomalachite). In fact, it is copper phosphate, a stone of a different origin, not related to malachite. However, the texture of the mineral is similar to malachite, endowed with a turquoise tint and increased hardness.

As for patterning and color saturation, samples of the mineral differ from each other depending on the place of extraction. Thus, African stones are brighter in color than Ural stones, and the rings and circles of the pattern are larger and have a regular shape. “Ural green” has a slightly different pattern - the pattern consists of contrasting stripes that separate light and dark shades of green.

Medicinal properties

Lithotherapists include the following medicinal properties of the Ural gem:

• normalization of an unstable emotional state;
• decreased blood pressure;
• relief of cramps in various diseases;
• relief of arthritis pain;
• relief of asthma attacks;
• in women - relief of pain during painful menstruation and childbirth.

Since malachite lowers blood pressure, it is not suitable for hypotensive patients!

Some experts even mention the fight against cancer among the healing properties of “Ural greens”. They claim that constantly carrying a large gem with you slows down the spread of metastases.

Malachite is a good object for meditation. If you look for a long time at the play and interpenetration of colors into each other on the surface of the stone, you can calm your nerves and smooth out aggression.

The lighter and brighter the stone, the higher its healing qualities. The abilities described above can be enhanced even more if you encase your specimen in copper.

Magic properties

Magic gives the “Ural green” the ability to make its owner invisible to enemies and to avert unfriendly glances. There is a belief that if you drink water from a malachite vessel, you can learn to understand the language of animals and birds.

The magical properties of the stone are strongly associated with nature, primarily with the forest. The jungles of India, the light forests of Europe, the impenetrable taiga of the Urals and Siberia - all these are manifestations of the same force that gives energy to spotted green stones. Mystics from Hindu magical sects used it as an amulet to open the “third eye,” signifying a connection with the world through nature. Malachite guarded people traveling through the forests, protected them from the arrows of savages and the teeth of predators, and helped them choose the right path on animal trails.

But this stone is not recommended to be worn for too long. Malachite has an unpleasant aspect: it influences a person in the direction of awakening the bestial, animal component in him. Logic gives way to intuition, calculation to instant muscle reaction, self-control to the free expression of uncontrolled emotions. In the urban world, a person’s inner “beast” may not find a suitable use for itself and become dangerous.

One of the meanings of the malachite stone in the esoteric sense is risk. Do not purchase amulets and talismans from this gem if you are not ready for this.

The magical properties of malachite are most fully revealed in a silver frame.

Magic abilities

From the moment malachite was discovered, the stone was credited with many unique magical properties, which are described in many ancient legends. Sorcerers and magicians recognized that the gem fulfills wishes and acts as a conductor between our world and other worlds of the Universe.

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Ancient legends describe the mysterious disappearances and appearances of people, cases when a person became invisible. It was also believed that if you drink a drink from a malachite vessel, you will be able to understand the language of animals.

Malachite was considered a stone of nature, a forest gem - it was the forest that endowed the mineral with its power. Therefore, travelers wandering through the forest thickets took this gem with them. It was believed that the nugget protected a person from predators, arrows of savages, and helped to find the right path among animal paths.

The stone also has a dangerous side. Wearing it for a long time is not recommended, since the mineral awakens the natural animal nature in a person - intuition begins to prevail over logic, instant muscle reaction overshadows prudence and thinking, self-control gives way to free expression of feelings.

In addition, mediums believe that the danger of malachite for women is expressed in the ability of the gem to attract men. At the same time, there is no division of people into good or bad - the mineral attracts suitors of any kind to the owner.

This is fraught with the fact that the young lady may end up in the hands of a not very decent man. You can protect yourself from this by wearing jewelry in a silver frame - this metal will help protect a woman from aggression, neutralizing the negative desires of men. In addition, silver enhances all the magical abilities of the mineral.

In the modern world, malachite acts as an assistant to speakers, artists, and all motivated individuals who want to achieve success. The stone makes such people more confident and eloquent. Businessmen can also enlist the help of a nugget by placing a malachite souvenir on their desk. Such a thing will attract good luck in business, directing success towards business development.

This is interesting! One of the ancient legends says that malachite is able to warn its owner of danger. Signaling trouble, the mineral breaks into small pieces.

The gem bestows inspiration and new ideas on creative people, becoming a friend to poets, artists, and sculptors. This amazing mineral helps get rid of fears, calm your thoughts and soul, and relieve stress. By removing all blockages, the gem helps you find new ways to achieve your goals.

Zodiac compatibility

Astrology considers it one of the brightest stones on Earth. The ruling planet is Saturn. According to the zodiac sign, malachite is suitable for almost every person, with the exception of Cancers and Virgos. The personal qualities of the representatives of these signs are not compatible with the nature of the “Ural greenery”.

Taurus is the favorite stone. The spotted Uralian has ideal horoscope compatibility with Taurus.

(“+++” – fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated)

Malachite and zodiac signs

Malachite is the stone of May. In the last month of spring, the gem has its greatest power. There is a belief that if you wear a malachite talisman in May, you can get rid of insomnia and melancholy forever. But, oddly enough, the malachite gem does not protect the zodiac sign, but only helps the owner avoid troubles and feel better.

Astrologers write a lot about who this stone is suitable for. The most relevant zodiac signs for malachite are Libra, Taurus and Leo. For Taurus, the gem will help restore vitality, find balance and calm a nervous state. Particular benefits will be felt by people who are often under emotional stress, lash out at others and feel some kind of imbalance in their lives. The color of the stone is not important in this case; it can be green or even red. Lviv malachite will relieve negativity - fears, doubts, unpleasant thoughts and emotions will go away. The mineral will help you achieve your desired goals faster and increase confidence in your abilities. Libra will feel uplifted and improve their mood.

Silver bracelet S&P with malachite (go to the SUNLIGHT catalogue)

However, astrologers say that malachite will also suit other zodiac signs - they will receive protection from ill-wishers, will no longer succumb to rapid mood swings and will become less impulsive. Malachite is especially suitable for those who are trying to find themselves, their purpose in life and find their favorite pastime. According to the horoscope, only Cancers and Virgos should not wear malachite jewelry.

Compatibility with other stones

Malachite is undemanding to its neighbors; there are no stones that are completely incompatible with it, with the exception of Fire minerals - ruby, diamond, pyrope.

Beads with malachite

Jewelry with malachite is best combined with the following stones:

• turquoise;
• jasper;
• jade;
• jet;
• chalcedony;
• Hawkeye;
• Bulls-eye.

A successful company may be:

• emerald;
• sapphire;
• aquamarine;
• moonstone;
• disgrace;
• aventurine;
• labrador;
• tourmaline.

Neighborhood with transparent-smoky gems of Air is neutral, does no harm or benefit. These include amethyst, uvarovite, chrysoprase, rock crystal, and golden beryl.

Application area

Prices for malachite are low, about $5 per gram. It is mainly used as an ornamental stone - it is cut or split into thin plates, which are used to cover flat or voluminous large objects - boxes, vases, chests, tabletops, and so on.

Malachite jewelry

Large blocks are used entirely. Souvenirs are made from them - amulets and talismans in the form of balls, pyramids, and animal figurines. For the needs of handicrafts, they produce faceted and polished beads of various shapes and sizes - round, pear-shaped, leaf-shaped, etc., from which home craftsmen make designer jewelry. At the same time, the cost of malachite increases significantly.

How to wear and care

Rings with “Ural green” are worn on the left hand, on the middle finger or on the little finger. Bracelets and beads - whatever you like, the requirements for wearing rules relate only to the need to protect malachite from shock. This is a fragile stone that can be easily scratched or chipped. He also does not like sudden temperature changes.

Malachite bracelet

If the stone is used in lithotherapy, then place it in the ground after each treatment session. Soil in a flower pot will do. Leave the stone in the ground overnight - in the morning it will be usable again. Change the soil in the “cleansing” pot every lunar month.