CONGOBONGO Newsletter | Malachite, Congo's Beautiful Green Stone

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AMERICAN EMBASSY KINSHASA NEWSLETTER | NOVEMBER 4, 2010

2 Malachite Congo’s Beautiful Green Stone 6 CLO’s Line 7 FLO Weekly Update 8 AERWA News 9 From DPO 10 Human Resources 11 The Medical Unit 12 What’s Going On 14 Classifieds 16 Calendar

T

he mineral was given this name due to its resemblance to the leaves of the Mallow plant. Malachite was used as a mineral pigment in green paints from antiquity until about 1800. The pigment is moderately lightfast, very sensitive

Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral, with the formula Cu2CO3(OH)2.

This green-colored mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system, and most often forms botryoidal, fibrous, or stalagmitic masses. Individual crystals are rare but do occur as slender to acicular prisms.

Pseudomorphs after more tabular or blocky azurite crystals also occur.

SOURCES: WIKIPEDIA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malachite

OLE NIELSEN BLOG

http://my.opera.com/nielsol/blog/malachite congo -and-the-copperbelt

Congo Democratic Republic

By Sean Rorison Bradt Travel Publications

to acids and varying in color. The natural form was being replaced by its synthetic form, verditer amongst other synthetic greens. It is also used for decorative purposes, such as in the Malachite Room in the Hermitage, which features a large malachite vase. "The Tazza", one of the largest pieces of malachite in North America and a gift from Tsar Nicholas II, stands as the focal point in the center of the room of Linda Hall Library.

Malachite often results from weathering of copper ores and is often found together with azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2), goethite, and calcite. Except for its vibrant green color, the properties of malachite are similar to those of azurite and aggregates of the two minerals occur frequently together. Malachite is more common than azurite and is typically associated with copper deposits around limestones, the source of the carbonate.

Large quantities of malachite have been mined in the Urals, Russia. It is found worldwide including in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Zambia; Tsumeb, Namibia; Mexico; Broken Hill, New South Wales; Lyon, France; and in the Southwestern United States notably in Arizona.

In Israel, malachite is extensively mined at Timna valley, often called King Solomon's Mines, although research has revealed an interruption in mining activity at the site during the 10th century BC, the time of the biblical Solomon. Archeological evidence indicates that the mineral has been mined and smelted at the site for over 3,000 years. Most of Timna's current production is also smelted, but the finest pieces are worked into silver jewelry.

In ancient times, bracelets of malachite were believed to ward off disease, lightning, and witchcraft.

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The Fact Later this year (on 30 June 2010) the Democratic Republic of the Congo will celebrate its 50 years of independence. The DR Congo, previously known as Zaire, is immensely rich in natural resources and is thought to be, by all accounts, the wealthiest country on earth in regards to natural resources. The country is potentially rich but partially ruined. It is a long story of power, money and natural resources - i.e. abused power, money into the “wrong pockets”, and income from mining of natural resources spent on warfare.

Malachite is a copper carbonate found in oxidised zones of copper deposits. Limestone, or dolomite, around the copper deposits will be the source of the carbonate. A large belt of copper deposits - actually called the “copperbelt” - is stretching from Katanga into Zambia. The Copperbelt is one of the richest sources of copper in the world. Cobalt, selenium, silver, and gold are also produced in this belt. The Central African Copperbelt is one of the world's greatest metallogenic provinces containing 34% of the world's cobalt reserves and over 10% of the world's copper reserves.

Most metal ore deposits can in one way or another be related to plate tectonics. In terms of global resources of copper the most important are porphyry copper deposits found in relation to subduction zones. Second in importance are rift related deposits or rift related stratiform deposits, such as the Copperbelt copper deposits.

Such deposits tend to contain ore grades that are distinctly higher than typical porphyry copper deposits (as those in the Andes). The copperbelt deposits occurred within the first marine transgressive unit (of shale and sandstone) laid down after a period of redbe sedimentation.

The Green Beauty Gems like malachite, which are stunningly beautiful, yet common and inexpensive, always bring to my mind the "No respect" phrase made familiar by Rodney Dangerfield. Pretend for a moment that there were just a handful of specimens to be had, think how we would sing its praises, and long to own one.

Despite ready availability, though, malachite has a great deal to recommend it to the gem lover, or to anyone simply interested in Nature's wonders.

Our forebears valued the dramatic colors of this mineral not only for use as an ornamental material and a gemstone, but also in ground form as a cosmetic (eye shadow). Unfortunately, although the results may have been beautiful, they were also hazardous to health: the copper content of the dust released from grinding this stone makes it toxic to breathe. (Today those workers involved in the mining and fashioning of malachite are advised to wear protective respiratory gear, and to keep dust to a minimum by keeping the rough wet.)

There is evidence that malachite was mined in Egypt as early as 4000 BCE. Early on it was ground and used as a pigment for paints. Not until the industrial revolution were synthetic pigments created that could rival the green hues achieved this way. Those who restore and conserve old paintings still use the old malachite based formula for authenticity.

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This vivid green gem gets its color from the copper in its chemical formula, and its lovely swirling and concentric patterns, from the way forms. The basic mode of formation is precipitation from solution, rather than from the crystallization of melted rock, or from the condensation of vapors.

Technically malachite is termed a "secondary" mineral which means that it is created by a chemical reaction between minerals that have already formed, rather than by a simple one-step process. When waters containing carbon dioxide or dissolved carbonate minerals interact with preexisting copper-containing rocks, or, alternately, when solutions containing dissolved copper minerals interact with carbonate rocks, malachite may form. Most commonly it occurs in "massive" form as a micro-crystalline aggregate, in nondescript lumps, or as crusts on other rocks. The typically banded appearance reflects the waxing and waning of the solutions necessary for formation, and the frequent changes in their chemical content. Due to its softness it is easy to shape and carve, but unlike many soft minerals, it generally takes a good polish. With attributes like this, there is no wonder that it finds so many decorative uses.

Perhaps the greatest malachite appreciators of all time were the Russian Royals of the 19th century who had sets of dinner ware, huge sculptures, vases and even sections of room paneling made of it.

Malachite is rarely enhanced, although lower quality, less compact pieces may be stabilized with plastic resins or given a surface polish with wax. Although synthetic malachite has been manufactured for research purposes, it has not much been found in the gem marketplace to date. There would be little point, as the synthetic material would be far more costly than the natural mineral which is in abundant supply.

The Victorians were great admirers of opaque jewelry stones, and malachite was one of their favorites, which they sometimes chose to set in gold. For the most part today, though, this gemstone is used in small carvings, beads, and cabochon gems usually set in silver. It is particularly popular in both genuine Native American sterling designs and inexpensive imitations of them.

The Value Malachite is plentiful in its typical forms, so even the best specimens are modestly priced. Pieces showing an unusual crystal habit, distinctive pattern, or chatoyance, will have higher values. Likewise, rocks consisting of malachite and other colorful copper minerals in lovely combinations generally command higher prices than do pure malachites. The value of carvings and ornamental objects will hinge primarily on their size, and artistry of the work.

The Care Malachite is soft and somewhat brittle, and is sensitive to both heat and acids. It requires gentle care, so no ultrasonic or steam cleaning should be done. Use in rings, bracelets, belt buckles, or other jewelry that gets rough and/or constant wear is not advisable. On the other hand it is an appropriate and delightful gem for earrings, brooches, pendants, tie pins, and occasional wear rings or bracelets.

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Club CRYSTAL are offering an open bar every Friday for $15.

In other words, everything you can drink for only $15.

This is mad, but hey, worth a try.

You can't miss this Bar, it's next to Regideso and has a huge laser at night coming out of it which you

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