Three freeform malachite cabochons with vivid green banding. Dimensions between 10 and 19 mm; the selection includes sizes useful for small rings as well as medium pendants. Polished flat back.
Item details
| Mineral |
Malachite (hydrated copper carbonate) |
| Dimensions |
V3: 10×15×5 mm · V4: 15×14×5 mm · V5: 19×13×4 mm |
| Shape and back |
Freeform, polished flat back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
3.5–4 Mohs — we recommend bezel setting |
| Origin |
Material acquired from a wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
Untreated |
| Item type |
Unique piece per variant (lot no. 10) |
This particular piece
Lot no. 10 offers three pieces with a good width-to-height ratio. Variant 3 (10×15 mm) has a taller profile than its width — useful for vertical settings. Variant 5 (19×13 mm) is the most horizontally elongated and has the largest surface area.
In all pieces, at least three concentric bands of varying green intensity are distinguishable, with no areas of uniform flat color.
What mounting it works for
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Bezel setting (925 silver) — all three pieces are 4–5 mm thick, sufficient for a bezel with adequate wall height.
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Statement ring — variant 4 (15×14 mm, almost square) works well as a central cabochon in a geometric design ring.
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Medium pendant — variant 5 (19×13 mm) has a classic proportion for an oval pendant.
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Wire wrap — manageable sizes for fine wire compositions.
Malachite in lapidary tradition
Malachite has been carved as a jewel and pigment since ancient Egypt: ground, it produced the green of kohl and decorated funerary pectorals. In the 19th century, the Russian imperial court decorated entire columns of the Winter Palace with solid malachite. Its concentric banding forms when copper carbonate precipitates in successive layers within rock cavities; each band records a variation in fluid concentration, and no pattern is repeated exactly.
The symbolic properties attributed to minerals belong to cultural and historical traditions. They are shared for educational purposes, not as medical advice or a substitute for professional care.
How to recognize genuine malachite
Authentic malachite has concentric banding with layers of variable thickness — never mechanically uniform repetition. It is completely opaque and matte when unpolished; after polishing, it develops a characteristic resinous luster. The most frequent imitation is pressed or synthetic malachite, whose pattern is artificially regular.
Frequently asked questions
Is this malachite treated?
No detectable treatment. The green color and banding are a result of the mineral's chemistry (hydrated copper carbonate). No formal gemological certification.
What setting do you recommend?
Bezel setting in 925 silver. Malachite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5–4 — the bezel protects the soft perimeter and distributes impacts. For a ring, a high box design. For a pendant, a simple bezel fully exposes the banding.
How much dimensional variation is there?
The published dimensions are the direct measurement of each piece. As they are freeform cabochons, there may be ±0.5 mm in any dimension. Select the numbered variant that best fits your setting.
What care does malachite need?
Avoid prolonged contact with water, sweat, acids (perfumes, citrus), and abrasives — they attack the carbonate and dull the polish. Clean with a soft, dry cloth. More information on jewelry care.
Does variant 3 (10×15 mm) have the same polishing quality as the others?
Yes. The mirror polish is applied uniformly regardless of size. In small pieces, the main face shows the banding in a more concentrated way; in some cases, the bands appear tighter, and the chromatic contrast is more intense.
More about this stone: properties, meaning, and uses of malachite. See also: all cabochons · silversmithing materials.
