Malachite is a common copper-containing mineral, which is noted for the distinctive pattern of wavy light green and dark green banding associated with its abundant massive form. This opaque material is usually encountered in nature as botryoidal (“grape-like”) or stalactitic masses and is used for a wide range of decorative purposes including cabochons, beads, inlays, vessels, handles and carvings. On very rare occasions, malachite can form individual crystals that are of sufficient size to be faceted, but the dark tone, low hardness and small size of such specimens would make them unsuitable for use within gem-set jewelry.

The mineral’s name is derived from that of the mallow plant, whose leaves possess a similar dark-toned and light-toned green coloration. This hue was especially popular with the ancient Egyptians, who extensively used crushed malachite as a green to bluish-green paint pigment.