The stone malachite - what is it?

In this article we will consider malachite. What is a green gem? It is a mineral, the basic copper carbonate. It forms masses of filament form with a fibrous-radial structure of green color. Previously it was used for copper mining, and today crafts are made from it. The largest modern deposits are located in Africa.

Properties and composition

What is famous for malachite (stone)? The description of its properties is presented in full. Malachite consists of 8.2% H₂O (water), 71.9% CuO (copper oxide (Cu 57%)), 19.9% CO₂ (carbonic acid). In the old days it was called copper greens of carbonic acid (an outdated chemical name).

It is known that the monoclinic syngony has a hardness of 3.5-4.0, and a density of 3.7-4.1 g / cm³. It is colored in green of various shades. It differs in gloss, depending on the addition: silky in the pieces and fine-fiber aggregates, glass in crystals.

The crystal habit is tabular, acicular, prismatic. Druses are prone to cleavage with the formation of spherical crystals, spheroidolitic dendrites, fine-fiber spherulites. When heated in a flask, they become black and release carbon dioxide, water: (CUOH) ₂CO₃ → 2CuO + Co₂ + H₂O.

What else is known for malachite? What is his "exclusivity"? You will learn this from the following description: a green stone dissolves in acids, releasing carbon dioxide, and in ammonia, coloring it in blue.

Even in times immemorial, people were able to get free copper from malachite. Thus, under conditions of partial combustion of coal, a carbon monoxide appears and the following reaction occurs: (CuOH) ₂CO₃ + CO → 3CO₂ + 2Cu + HO.

Forms of finding

Many people ask: "Malachite - what is it?". We will try to answer this question in full. It is known that in nature malachite is extremely rare in various forms. Well-formed crystals are always shallow and very rare, have a plate, columnar, acicular appearance, tend to be split into spheres, beams split like a rosette of spherical crystals, spherulites and their extravagant modifications-bunch spheroidolithic dendrites and spheroidolites.

The most characteristic and well-known are fine-fiber spherulitic zonal-concentric bud-shaped aggregates, which impart a polished cut with a picturesque bizarre pattern. They grow out of nonequilibrium, excessively satiated solutions. Sometimes malachite is found, formed in the form of pseudostalactites, primings, veins, coarse-pentagonal and granular structures.

Occurrence

A typical mineral formed in hypergenic processes is found on the surface of oxidation zones of hydrothermal polymetallic and copper ore deposits. He constantly accompanies different copper ores, appearing due to their weathering, due to which often forms pseudomorphs in chalcopyrite, cuprit, minerals from the discharge of faded ores and so on. Typical malachite pseudomorphs in azurite. Near the green stone are found the following minerals: chalcocite, goethite, azurite, chalcopyrite, limonite, pseudo malachite (elites), bornite, brochantite, cuprite, tetrahedrite, native copper.

It is interesting that the bronze antiques found by archeologists are covered with a green gem, which is distinguished by the ease of education.

Bosom

Where can you find malachite (what is this gem we are considering)? In the Urals. This area is famous for its malachite deposits. Green stone is also found in Kazakhstan (Zhezkazgan) and in the Altai. Its large clusters are hard to find. It is said that Russian underground storerooms are almost exhausted. The industrial deposits of malachite - Gumeshevskoye in Polevskoye and Mednorudyanskoye in Nizhny Tagil - are now fully developed and closed.

The largest malachite block weighing about 500 kg is stored in the Mining Institute. By the way, some experts believe that in the Urals it is possible to open new underground storerooms. Unfortunately, today the reserves of this amazing stone are found only at the Korovinsko-Reshetnikovskoye deposit, with the help of which they plan to restore the Ural malachite business.

The colossal Russian deposits

The following major malachite deposits are located in the Russian Federation:

• High mountain (deposits discovered in 1722);
• Mednorudnyanskoye field is located near Nizhny Tagil (opened in 1722);
• Gumeshevsky mine - abandoned mines of copper ores in the Urals (discovered in 1702);
• Korovinsko-Reshetnikovsky deposits (discovered in 1908).

Malachite in Western Europe is found in Cessi (near Lyon), in the Rezzebani, Cornwall, on the Harz and so on.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is considered the basic source of green mineral for finishing and jewelry works. A specific feature of the African malachite are large concentric regular rings with a contrasting gradation of light and dark zones.

Using

So, we continue to study malachite. What does it mean to use this gem for modern jewelry? This stone is actively used in the malachite case. Dense discrepancies of intense color with a picturesque pattern are highly appreciated and used to create vases, incrustations (lining caskets, floors), cabochons for inclusion in small jewelry crafts and so on.

Columns of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg are covered with thin plates made of green gem. An ancient malachite vase of impressive dimensions adorns the hall of the Mineralogical Museum. Fersman. From the smallest crumbs are made paints and a mineral pigment. And yet this mineral is used by metallurgists. Since the time of Ancient Egypt, they extracted copper from malachite ore.

Healing qualities

What other properties are known for malachite? What does this stone mean to people? Vedans claim that it is a wonderful remedy for skin diseases. Malachite bracelets clear it from allergic rashes and red spots. Beads from green stone, according to healers, significantly improve hair growth. Lithotherapists say that this gem eliminates asthma attacks, improves eyesight, treats eye diseases. It is believed that malachite plates are able to heal a person from rheumatism (they are put on sore spots). This mineral also affects the head chakra and the heart chakra.

Vedic qualities

Many people like malachite (stone). Magic properties, photos - they study all this with great pleasure. In ancient times it was believed that this stone is the conductor of the energy of the universe on our planet. People told us that if a green gem could turn a person into an invisibility, and in order to understand the language of animals, one must drink from the malachite bowl. In Russia they said that this mineral realizes desires. Professionals testify that malachite is a very powerful magical stone, and if not dealt with, it can be very dangerous, especially for women.

Those who like malachite (stone), how to wear it, are interested. It is known that this gem to its owner attracts the attention of the opposite sex so much that it risks becoming an object of violence. Therefore, the masters advise to send it to silver, which neutralizes the men.

Malachite is the May stone. He has great power this month. They say that if you wear a malachite talisman in May, you can get rid of melancholy, insomnia, groundless fears. The dark green mineral enhances and preserves the spiritual powers of its master, harmonizes the environment with its inner world. Astrologers say that malachite should be worn by people who appeared under the sign of Libra. They give them charm, make them attractive, give eloquence. Other signs of the zodiac can also wear products with this stone. Only Devas and Cancers, he is able to do harm.

As a talisman, a green stone should be used by those who wish to increase their charm and attractiveness. Literary artists, artists, musicians are helped by malachite, set in copper. Artists need this gem most of all, but for them it is sent to white metals: platinum, aluminum, silver.

Varieties

Have you ever seen malachite? What kind of stone is mined in the Urals? In this region, two basic species are obtained: plastique malachite and turquoise. The first is characterized by a stunning velvet shine, dark rich shades and radial-radiant structure. This species is difficult to handle, so it is not very popular.

Turquoise malachite is the most valuable and widespread stone. It differs in that the strips of its pattern are placed parallel to the concentric texture. The color palette is turquoise and bluish-emerald stones. The turquoise appearance is divided into ribbon and small-speckled subspecies.

Products from malachite must be protected from blows and sudden changes in temperature. Negatively affect this mineral abrasives and acids. Such decorations can only be cleaned in cold soapy water. Ultrasound and steam treatment must be completely eliminated.

Traditions

In ancient times malachite was considered to be the stone of fulfillment of desires. He is a powerful amulet of love, patronizes people who value wisdom. In the Urals there is a tradition that malachite must be given to simple-minded, open, kind, unhappy people. It is to them that he brings well-deserved luck. Gemstone removes from them spoilage and evil eye, protects from dangers, gives a serene sleep, dispels children's fears. And in the old days it was believed that malachite protects its host from cholera. In the era of the Middle Ages, this stone was recognized as an amulet, which helps a successful pregnancy and childbirth. Women wearing knit wears on their necks malachite pendants made in the form of a cross or a heart.

In Egypt, this gem was used by autocrats as the most important stone of power. In the Middle Ages, alchemists claimed that with the help of malachite it is possible to create an elixir of life, believed that it protects a person from falling from a height. It was ground into a powder, which was used in cosmetics and for the treatment of the eyes.

This gem absorbs energy, so after use it must be cleaned, otherwise it will fade and lose its strength. To do this, you can put the mineral for three hours on a drusen or use a water-solar method. Salt can not be used, because the stone is very soft, there may be scratches on it.

Drawings on malachite stones reflect their essence and purpose. Outlines similar to the target designate the work with the third eye. Such minerals can open chakras to increase the flow of energy.

We hope that now you can apply malachite to your destination.