This is a very rare and unusual combination of gemstone materials that
combine to give us fantastic matrix patterns and great colors.....the Fern
Malachite can be a light green and range all the way to the deepest forest
green or even have some of the 'blue' from the inclusion of Azurite.
Basically this material is a mixture of Malachite, Chrysocolla, possibly
Azurite and it is known for having alot of surface texture. It will have
'pits' that are not really pits but little indentations in the surface of the
stone.
Malachite
is a copper carbonate mineral and mostly results from the
weathering of copper ores. It is often found with Azurite and the
properties of these two stones are very similar, with Malachite being found
much more frequently than Azurite.
Malachite is another stone that has been mined in
some form for centuries, like Lapis has in Afghanistan. In Israel, Malachite is
extensively mined at Timna, often called King Solomon's Mine. Archaeological
evidence indicates that the mineral has been mined and smelted at that site for
over 3,000 years.
"Malachite" comes from the Greek molochitis,
meaning "mallow-green stone" and because of its bright color was
used as a pigment in green paint from antiquity until about 1800.
Today, Malachite is mostly used for decorative
purposes and jewelry. While it may be found in several locations around the
world, the most abundant source is the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(Zaire). Malachite may also be found in Arizona near Bisbee and Morenci,
but this is rather rare.
Although Chrysocolla will sometimes
accumulate sufficient thickness to be cut as a gemstone, it more frequently
merely stains chalcedony, producing an INTENSE blue or green material that
is tough enough to cut. The hardness of Chrysocolla itself is only 2-4 on
the Mohs scale, but the material frequently contains enough other minerals to
become hard and take a high polish.
Fern Malachite would be considered 'softer' on the Mohs scale and care should
be taken while setting or wrapping this cabochon as to not put stress on the
stone itself.
