Five freeform malachite cabochons with intense green banding. Lengths between 18 and 24 mm; the largest specimen (variant 5: 24×14×5 mm) is large enough for a focal pendant. Flat polished back, ready for setting.
Item details
| Mineral |
Malachite (hydrated copper carbonate) |
| Dimensions |
V1: 19×16×4 mm · V2: 19×11×5 mm · V3: 18×17×5 mm · V4: 19×12×4 mm · V5: 24×14×5 mm |
| Shape and back |
Freeform, flat polished back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
3.5–4 Mohs — we recommend a closed bezel setting |
| Origin |
Material purchased from a wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
No treatment |
| Item type |
Unique piece per variant (lot nr.15) |
This particular piece
Lot nr.15 comprises five pieces with well-defined concentric bands, alternating light and dark green in layers of varying thickness. Variants 1 and 3 (18–19 mm wide) are the most compact; variant 5 stands out as the largest piece in the lot at 24×14 mm.
The silhouettes are freeform — the outline of each piece follows the area with the highest band contrast in the original fragment, without forcing any standard geometry.
What mounting it works for
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Closed bezel setting (925 silver) — protects the soft perimeter and frames the banding. Oxidized silver contrasts with the green of the malachite.
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Statement pendant — variant 5 (24×14 mm) offers focal scale. Variants 1 and 3 are suitable for medium pendants.
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Ring with high setting — variants 1 and 3 (width ≈16–17 mm) fit into a statement ring with a box setting that protects the face.
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Wire wrap — the flat back provides a stable seat; the freeform silhouette allows for asymmetrical compositions with copper or silver.
Malachite in lapidary tradition
Malachite has been carved as jewelry and pigment since ancient Egypt: ground, it produced kohl green 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 ever repeats 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 uniform mechanical repetition. It is completely opaque and matte when unpolished; after polishing, it develops a characteristic resinous luster. The most common imitation is pressed or synthetic malachite, whose pattern appears 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 showcases the banding in its entirety.
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 fruits), and abrasives — they attack the carbonate and tarnish the polish. Clean with a soft, dry cloth. More information on jewelry care.
What is the difference between the different malachite lots in the catalog?
Each lot (nr.8, nr.9, nr.10…) groups pieces selected at the same time of purchase. The number is an inventory identifier, not an indicator of quality. The differences between lots are in the dimensions, the proportion of bands, and the available silhouettes at that time.
More about this stone: properties, meaning, and uses of malachite. See also: all cabochons · silversmithing materials.
