Hardness: 3 1/2 to 4

Colors: Light, bright green to dark green, sometimes banded with darker or lighter shades of green.

Birthstone: None

Zodiac: None
 

Malachite is a famous and very popular semi-precious stone. Its banded light and dark green designs are one-of-a-kind, and give it a unique ornamental quality unlike that of any other stone. Although its massive forms are well known, its crystalline forms are rare and only now becoming widely available to the average mineral collector. Many beautiful specimens of malachite contain special combinations with other minerals, such as the azure blue of azurite, the baby blue of chrysocolla, or the rusty red of limonite.

Polished, the banded Malachite has been carved into ornaments and worn as jewelry for thousands of years. Its extensive use in beautiful inlay work, such as that in Imperial Russian Palaces, is legendary. This type of malachite is still used as a minor gemstone, being cut into cabochons and fashioned into beads for necklaces.

 

Comforts and reduces stress and brings harmony into one's life. Absorbs negative energies whether of physical or emotional nature. Promotes concentration.

malachite is sometimes called "the stone of transformation" assisting one in changing situations and providing for the transfer of sacred information to spiritual evolution. It clears and activates all chakras balancing and equalizing them; Malachite can create an unobstructed path leading to a desired goal. Facilitates the rise of spirituality and the enhancement of psychic abilities. Protects against radiation and can be used in the treatment of asthma, swollen joints, tumors, growths, broken bones and torn muscles.