All About Malachite – Uses, Properties, Color, and Worth

What is Malachite?

Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide that is formed when the mineral copper is altered by other present chemicals in surrounding rock deep in the earth.  Amounts of carbonate, like limestone, will mix with copper minerals to create malachite.

The name malachite was derived from the Greek word “molochitis lithos” which means “mallow-green stone” because of its close resemblance to the mallow plant.

Since malachite is formed by the use of the mineral copper, finding malachite means that copper will be found as well.   Malachite has been mined and smelted for centuries for the copper that can be obtained in or around the mineral.   

What is Malachite used for?

Malachite is used for green dye, jewelry, and other forms of display such as figurines and bookends.  This mineral can be cut out into cabochons and polished with a nice luster and used for one’s rock and mineral collection as a displayable talking piece.  Malachite is considered a gemstone…

Malachite is good for many things.  It has been worn as jewelry for many decades because of its different color of greens available in intricate patterns that catch the eye.  You can find rings, earrings, necklaces, and pendants and other types of jewelry adorned with this gemstone.

Many will purchase malachite in its raw form.  Displaying raw malachite can carry just as much beauty as when carved and polished.  A very beautiful and rare form of raw malachite many do not know about is known as velvet malachite.

Velvet malachite has fibrous crystal strands that are very fragile.  This particular type of malachite is very sought after by rock collectors in specimen form.

Rough malachite in small to medium pieces are a fun way to make use of your rock tumbler.  Many rock enthusiasts will purchase rough malachite stones and run them through their tumbler to create many small pieces of polished malachite.

Some believe that the meaning and use of malachite, while in your possession or being adorned, will block negative energies and help with an array of mental enhancements such as giving you stronger will power and increasing your creativity.   Some believe that malachite possesses great healing powers. Malachite does have some uses in every day life as described above.  If you know what malachite looks like, you may just get lucky and see it in your travels.

What is the color of Malachite?

The color of malachite is green, or various different shades of green.  With the chemical composition of malachite, no other colors save the color of blue azurite, is typically found in the stone.  Bands of green malachite and blue azurite have been found entwined together to be known as Azure-malachite.

Azurite is found in more abundance than that of malachite. When the two are actually found together in a dazzling array of green and blue, it would be very easy for one to take a second look.

What is Malachite worth?

Malachite worth depends on the size, cut, and pattern of the stone.  Smaller cut out and polished malachite cabochons can value in at $10 or less per specimen. When the size of the cut out malachite gets bigger, expect the value of malachite to get much more expensive.

Malachite is a semi-precious stone.  A nice specimen of polished and cut malachite that fits in the center of the palm of your hand could cost you $20 to $40 USD.  Double or triple the size of that stone and you might be paying several hundred dollars.  Add in pattern, varying colors of green, specific cut, and the cost can increase.  As a raw uncut mass of malachite you can expect to spend $20 USD or more per pound.

Malachite can be found in larger mass amounts.  This means that large specimens, like a 15 lbs cut and polished sculpture, could fetch a price of a couple thousand USD.  There are many somewhat affordable cut and polished sculptures, smaller in size, which can be purchased for a few hundred dollars.

Jewelry made out of malachite can remain fairly affordable. Most malachite cut for the application of jewelry will be in smaller pieces.  A lot of the cost in jewelry with malachite will be because of the type of precious metal that is used.

Some do try to put an estimated price of malachite per carat.  Malachite does not cost too much and talking about malachite in carat size is not typically done.  This can make it hard for shoppers to get the best value for their money.

Is Malachite toxic?

Malachite is toxic due to its high levels of copper, roughly 57% copper to be exact.  If you mine, cut, or hand polish malachite stone you are putting your health at risk.  With the dangers of handling and working with raw malachite, precautions should be taken.  However, a cut and polished piece of malachite will not be toxic and is safe to handle

How to identify Malachite?

Malachite can be identified by its very green color.  At rare times malachite can be found as crystals that can stretch from the mineral like tiny needles, however it is typically found as globular(rounded), fibrous, or stalagmitic masses. 

The masses of malachite can be banded in intricate patterns with various different shades of green available.  Malachite can be translucent to opaque and is very brittle.

Malachite and other minerals

Malachite qualities and properties can be confused with various other minerals.  People often confuse malachite and emerald due to both their colors being green.  This similar confusion can also apply to malachite and jade, or malachite and serpentine. 

One of the odd comparisons some may have is between malachite and pyrite.  The differences between these two minerals would seem miles apart.  It is in the opinion that people may be interested in the differences between these two minerals because it might be assumed that both might contain copper or similar elements.

(For more information on some of these other minerals and the differences they have from malachite, you can follow the links provided in this section).   

Where can Malachite be found?

Malachite can be found in several places around the world including; Africa, Mexico, Russia and in the USA states of Arizona, California, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Utah. Other minerals typically found with Malachite are; Azurite, cuprite, chalcedony, chrysocolla, copper, kaolin, limonite, and quartz.