Malachite

Malachite's alternating layers of different shades of green remind us that we have different planes of consciousness and, within us too, there is light and shadow, unconscious and conscious parts. The wisdom of this stone encourages you to visit each facet of your being, each layer, so that all are considered under the enlightened eye of your consciousness.

As your darker areas are brought to light, you become aware of your repressed desires, your wounds, the origins of this or that behavior you've adopted but which doesn't correspond to you. You become aware that, like an onion, you're peeling yourself back layer by layer to reveal "the Self", who you really are.

Malachite is very popular in lithotherapy for its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Placed on a painful area, it draws out "evil" and helps to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Its name, in bird language, "mal l'a quitte", is no doubt no coincidence.

It can be very useful for relieving all types of pain and a great help for inflammatory problems such as rheumatism, tendonitis or arthritis.

It is also reputed to relieve the pain of menstruation and childbirth.

In Germany, it has long been known as the "midwife's stone" and its history tells us that in all civilizations that have used it, it has always been associated with a goddess linked to maternity, motherhood, fertility and young children. It was common for a mother to wear a Malachite amulet for protection.

Malachite's high copper content promotes the circulation of energies in the body, making it easier to dissolve blockages that cause pain or discomfort. It stimulates the immune system, prevents infections, promotes cell regeneration and increases lung capacity.

How to use Malachite

• • In case of pain, place Malachite directly on the painful area. Don't hesitate to tie it up with a bandage to benefit from its long-lasting action.

• • Wear Malachite when you feel your immune system is tired or under particular strain.

• • To broaden your consciousness, meditate regularly on a polished Malachite.

• Do not ingest malachite powder or make elixirs from it! It is toxic in this form.

Where to place a Malachite?

• • Malachite in your home will bring healing energies. You can combine it with Smoky Quartz, which has purifying virtues.

• • It's a welcome addition to any treatment room, living room or bedroom.

• In a hospital room to aid convalescence and healing.

Malachite, for whom?

• • Malachite can be of great help to people suffering from chronic pain and autoimmune diseases, who often have joint, muscle or ligament pain.

• • For athletes who often experience pain after exercise.

• For women in childbirth or suffering from painful periods.

Malachite in mineralogy

Malachite is a copper hydrocarbonate formed by copper oxidation when surface rocks are altered and carbonic acid-rich water infiltrates. The copper present in the rock then becomes a copper carbonate.

It appears mainly as nodules of bulbous clusters formed in concentric layers. This layered bulbous formation and the variations in its composition reveal magnificent designs in different shades of green when polished. It is also found in fibrous form.

Did you know? Azurite is created when the pH of the water is acidic, while Malachite is created when the pH is alkaline. However, some Azurites can be transformed into Malachite by absorption of water and it's common to find Azurite and Malachite side by side.

In 1835, Russian miners in the Urals exposed a Malachite of exceptional quality, weighing over 260 tonnes. It took 9 years to free the enormous rock and almost 12 years to bring it to the surface.

The largest Malachite deposits are found in Congo, Russia, Namibia and Australia. A famous deposit is located in Chessy, France.

The history of Malachite

We don't know whether its name comes from the Greek malakos = soft (because it's a stone of low hardness) or from the Greek malakhe = mallow for its slight resemblance to the leaves of this plant.

Its history dates back to the time of Neanderthal man, when it was already used as jewelry. A 10,500-year-old Malachite disc has been discovered in Iraq and 9,000-year-old pearls have been found in Israel.

Israel and Egypt were already trading with Malachite over 4,000 years ago.

It was used as a pigment for the color green, as eye shadow, in sculpture and jewelry. The Egyptians associated it with Thoueris, the guardian goddess of pregnant women and Hathor, goddess of fertility.
The Romans associated it with Aphrodite, made a medicinal powder from it and used it as an amulet to protect against lightning.
The Greeks carried Malachite with them to war and used it to decorate temples. Malachite was used to decorate the columns of the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus.

During the Middle Ages, Malachite was reputed to ward off the evil eye and protect against black magic and nightmares. There were all kinds of remedies based on Malachite powder. It was even said that drinking water from a Malachite glass enabled you to understand the language of animals (this practice is no longer recommended, as it is toxic).

In Switzerland at that time, Malachite was said to protect pregnant women and young children. Since the 16ᵉ century, "birth crosses" adorned with Malachite have existed in the Alps as amulets for pregnancy and birth.

Russian craftsmen used a mosaic technique with Malachite lamellae, enabling the Tsars to richly decorate their castles and all kinds of objects with this stone. They even presented Napoleon with Malachite-covered chairs and a table.

Today, it is still used in jewelry in the form of cabochons and its medicinal properties, particularly anti-inflammatory, are still very popular.