Malachite Cabochon

Description

Malachite from Zaire handcrafted into a cabochon.  Measures 21.47 x 39=0.16 x 4.88 mm.
Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, with the formula Cu2CO3 (OH)2. This opaque, green-banded mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses, in fractures and deep, underground spaces, where the water table and hydrothermal fluids provide the means for chemical precipitation. Individual crystals are rare, but occur as slender to acicular prisms.
A 17th-century Spanish superstition held that having a child wear a lozenge of malachite would help them sleep, and keep evil spirits at bay. Marbodus recommended malachite as a talisman for young people because of its protective qualities and its ability to help with sleep. It has also historically been worn for protection from lightning and contagious diseases and for health, success, and constancy in the affections. During the Middle Ages it was customary to wear it engraved with a figure or symbol of the Sun to maintain health and to avert depression to which Capricorns were considered vulnerable.
In ancient Egypt the color green (wadj) was associated with death and the power of resurrection as well as new life and fertility. Ancient Egyptians believed that the afterlife contained an eternal paradise, referred to as the ‘Field of Malachite’, which resembled their lives but with no pain or suffering.
Malachite is a protector and helps supports of your strength and willpower.  It can help you stay alert and avoid danger, as well as strengthen your boundaries so you are not affected by negative energies. It also activates a kind of protective luck, Malachite helps you to see yourself in a balanced way where you can look at your shortcomings in a way to improve them, rather than being discouraged. It helps in the realization that your responsibility is to make yourself the best you can be and to let other's manage themselves.
Malachite is a grounding influence, helping to make wise decisions and taking responsibility for your health and well-being. If you struggle with self-defeating habits or self-doubt, wearing malachite can help you increase self-confidence.
Malachite is a stone of balance, abundance, manifestation and intention. Malachite absorbs energy and draws emotions to the surface. It clears and activates all Chakras, and is especially helpful in the stimulation of the Heart and Throat Chakras. An extremely powerful metaphysical stone, Malachite is often called the “stone of transformation” and is used for deep energy cleaning, bringing healing and positive transformation to the wearer. For this reason, many metaphysicians recommend using Malachite in small doses.