Six malachite cabochons in teardrop silhouette with concentric green banding. Dimensions between 16 and 20 mm in length. The teardrop shape concentrates the banding towards the lower apex, creating a visual funneling effect of color. Flat polished back.
Piece Details
| Mineral |
Malachite (hydrated copper carbonate) |
| Dimensions |
V1: 19×17×6 mm · V2: 19×13×3 mm · V3: 16×14×5 mm · V4: 17×13×5 mm · V5: 20×13×4 mm · V6: 16×11×5 mm |
| Shape and Back |
Teardrop, flat polished back |
| Finish |
Mirror polish |
| Hardness |
3.5–4 Mohs — we recommend bezel setting |
| Origin |
Material acquired from a wholesale lapidary market |
| Treatment |
No treatment |
| Piece Type |
Unique piece per variant (lot nr.9) |
This specific piece
Lot nr.9 is the only malachite catalogued with a teardrop silhouette in six sizes. Variant 1 is the widest (17 mm) and thickest (6 mm) — the piece with the most volume in the lot. Variant 5 (20×13 mm) is the longest. Variant 2 is only 3 mm high, making it flat compared to the others.
In teardrops, the banding follows the contour and narrows towards the lower apex — a sought-after pattern in organic pendants.
What setting it works for
-
Teardrop pendant (925 silver) — the shape calls for a bail at the rounded upper end; the apex hangs down, orienting the band pattern downwards.
-
Bezel setting — the curved contour of the teardrop requires a bezel made in wax or handcrafted; it does not fit standard pre-industrial bezels.
-
Paired earrings — select two variants of similar dimensions (e.g., V3 + V4 or V4 + V6) to create a design-asymmetric pair.
-
Wire wrap — the teardrop is one of the most classic shapes for wire wrap; the apex guides the base wire.
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 is exactly repeated.
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 varying thickness — never uniform mechanical 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 and banding are a result of the mineral's chemistry (hydrated copper carbonate). No formal gemological certification.
What setting do you recommend?
Closed bezel 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 direct measurements of each piece. As they are free-form 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 in jewelry care.
Do these teardrops fit standard pre-industrial jewelry bezels?
No. These are free-form cabochons with a teardrop silhouette, not calibrated to industrial tolerances. The goldsmith builds the bezel to adapt it to the piece — this is standard in artisanal silversmithing and allows for a perfect, gap-free fit. Possible variation: ±0.5 mm in any dimension.
See also: all cabochons · silversmithing materials · malachite guide.
