Malachite pendant

Stone size: approx. 38 x 25 mm, set in 925 sterling silver

Mineralogy: Basic copper carbonate

Colour: pale green to strong dark green banded

Locations: Congo, Namibia, Egypt, USA, China, Morocco

The name malachite comes from the Greek "malache" (mallow), because its color resembles the leaves of the mallow. Malachite was already known in ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, ancient China, the Egyptians, and the Maya. The Egyptians used it to make coveted art objects such as amulets and scarabs, and ground it up to make eye shadow. In ancient traditions, it is also called the "midwife's stone" because it was said to be able to ease labor pains. Malachite is not only highly sought after as a gemstone but is also used as a pigment in painting.