Reviews
3.75" Sparkling, Botryoidal Malachite Stalactite - Congo
This is a breathtaking malachite stalactite, mined in the Congo. It is in excellent condition and features a silky, deep green botryoidal formation that sparkles when shifted under the light. These stalactite formations occur as a result of copper rich solutions dripping from the low point of a ceiling within a cavity/cave. An initial malachite crystal "ring" begins to form, which elongates as successive drops add additional rings. These rings create a long narrow tube that in some cases will be filled with crystals over time, or will remain hollow. The exterior of these tubes will continue to accumulate crystals as long as the environment is favorable to the growth, resulting in stalactite formations such as this.
Please note: There are malachite stalactite "fakes" on the market. They are created through a variety of different methods, including hanging a copper wire from a copper-matrix to create malachite stalactites. In most cases, these stalactites can have unusual shapes and will contain a copper wire within. In some instances, malachite crystal shards will be glued to the exterior of these stalactites.
This specific malachite stalactite formed naturally, and while it contains a hole through the middle, there are micro-malachite crystals within the hole and the exterior crystals are natural, both of which are characteristics of natural stalactites.
Please note: There are malachite stalactite "fakes" on the market. They are created through a variety of different methods, including hanging a copper wire from a copper-matrix to create malachite stalactites. In most cases, these stalactites can have unusual shapes and will contain a copper wire within. In some instances, malachite crystal shards will be glued to the exterior of these stalactites.
This specific malachite stalactite formed naturally, and while it contains a hole through the middle, there are micro-malachite crystals within the hole and the exterior crystals are natural, both of which are characteristics of natural stalactites.
Malachite is an intense green copper-based mineral that can be found in a wide variety of forms. Malachite can grow in botryoidal masses, stalactitic formations, and reniform formations, typically as a tight cluster of fanning fibrous needles that make up a seemingly solid mass. As layers continue to stack during formation, banded patterns can sometimes begin to take shape, explaining the rings in all shades of green seen on most polished malachite specimens.
Malachite results from the weathering of other copper ores, and is very often found associated with other copper-based minerals such as azurite and chrysocolla. It can be found in copper deposits around the world, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary source for polished malachite and mineral specimens.
Malachite has been prized since ancient times, first as a utilitarian copper ore, then as an ornamental stone. Due to its value as a decorative stone, it is rarely mined as a copper ore anymore.
Malachite results from the weathering of other copper ores, and is very often found associated with other copper-based minerals such as azurite and chrysocolla. It can be found in copper deposits around the world, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the primary source for polished malachite and mineral specimens.
Malachite has been prized since ancient times, first as a utilitarian copper ore, then as an ornamental stone. Due to its value as a decorative stone, it is rarely mined as a copper ore anymore.
