This bright green mineral gets its name from its resemblance to the color of the leaves of the mallow plant. For centuries until the Nineteenth Century, malachite was ground for use as a green pigment in paint suspensions. However, the mineral’s properties reacted badly with acids which caused the color to fade or change over time.
Malachite has long been used in jewelry as well as in the decorative arts. The unusual vibrancy of the color, often banded with darker and lighter greens, immediately puts one in mind of nature. The Victorians frequently employed malachite in their jewelry—often in pieces designed to be worn during the day or in the country, when diamonds or other faceted gems were not considered appropriate. Jewelry makers in Scotland used Malachite with stunning creativity—crafting beautiful brooches, bracelets and rings which showcased the stone’s natural color and smoothness. Scottish artists often combined malachite with silver, colored agates and onyx to create complicated and amazing designs.
This luxurious mineral continues to be popular in jewelry and in furnishings. Legend has it that wearing malachite will ward of disease, witchcraft, and even lightning. That would be a nice side effect, but the best reason to wear malachite is simply that it’s beautiful.
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