How to check if malachite is real?

The “Mistress of the Copper Mountain” from the fairy tale could not even imagine that people, not having reached her treasures in the mountains, would begin to counterfeit her pride – the malachite stone. But they often try to pass off imitations of the mineral as the original. Do you have a malachite product at home? If so, then you can rest assured. After all, malachite is a stone of health and a protector from all sorts of misfortunes. The main thing is to know how to distinguish malachite from a fake when buying a stone. The demand for the mineral is still high, but large deposits have mostly been depleted. Therefore, to make up for the shortage on the shelves, artificial analogues are increasingly appearing. The unusual malachite color always pleases the eye in crafts and jewelry. But paying a high price for a fake is unpleasant. There are several criteria for distinguishing natural malachite from a fake.

What does a real mineral look like?

Natural malachite is not translucent and has a low density, which makes it easier to process. The treated surface of the mineral reveals a bizarre pattern of blurry curved rings, painted in different shades of green. The color shimmers and smoothly transitions from almost colorless to dark emerald green. All this is in strict sequence, each ring has its own shade, as if a skilled artist had carefully drawn the pattern. Single-color fragments are rare. Before processing, the sample may have a glassy sheen. But after polishing it acquires a delicate silky sheen. The stone is heat sensitive and may partially disintegrate in hot water. During the era of the Soviet Union, Ural malachite was famous, which was mined near Sverdlovsk. Today, the main supplies of the mineral come from Zaire. Stones are also mined in the USA, Namibia, Chile, Australia, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan and the Urals. Color shades will tell you how to distinguish malachite from its analogue. The production of imitations is on stream; they don’t think about the variety of colors.

Therefore, stones similar to malachite are painted in 2-3 green shades and no more. Take a close look at the sample: if only three green color options alternate in it, then you have a fake mineral in your hands. Natural stone has a pattern of lines of similar but unequal shades of emerald color. The number of green gamut options reaches ten or more.

Pressed mineral

Often, when a buyer doubts the authenticity of a material, the seller argues the quality by saying that it is a pressed sample. Pressed malachite is usually of natural origin, but of low grade. It consists of fragments and stone fragments of different sizes, pressed together and joined with epoxy resin. In these samples, sharp edges of fragments and partitions between inclusions are visible. Zones of epoxy resin with pebbles floating in it are clearly visible in the mineral. Some pressed malachite products are very beautiful, but the quality is still lower than usual, and the price should not be increased accordingly.

Ways to recognize imitation

• Price. Natural stone cannot be cheap, under any circumstances or excuses. If the price is low, then the stones are definitely fake.
• The weight. Hold different samples in your palm; malachite minerals are heavier than their analogues.
• Shine and cold. Natural stones are cooler than their plastic twins. Artificial malachite has a glassy sheen, while the surface of the original is more matte.
• Hardness. The natural mineral has low hardness. Take a piece of quartz and run it over the mineral – it will immediately leave a deep mark; glass and plastic are more difficult to scratch.
• Acid test. Malachite dissolves in acid, releasing carbon dioxide and acquiring a blue color. Crafts made from analogues will not change color.
• To recognize a fake, they do a simple trick: a burning candle is brought to the sample . The plastic will immediately melt.

When talking about malachite, you need to clarify what pseudomalachite is.

This is a separate mineral, very similar in appearance. It is distinguished by its blue tint and properties unique to it. Comparing samples, an inexperienced person will easily believe that it is malachite. This mineral is quite rare. The only plus is that if they sell it to you instead of the original, you will receive not just a piece of plastic, but a natural, rare mineral.

Synthetic fakes

Scientific laboratories have developed a method for producing synthetic malachite. The technology for manufacturing artificial stone makes it possible to obtain a mineral through synthesis that is extremely difficult to distinguish from natural one. The production of artificial stone makes it possible to replace its natural samples in stone cutting. For example, for cladding various architectural fragments inside a building, given the high price of natural material.

When buying jewelry on the market, you should not expect magical or healing properties from it. Such products are attractive and beautiful, but they have the properties of glass or plastic, and not valuable natural stone. Therefore, you should look for the original in specialized jewelry stores, where they will show you documents confirming the natural origin of the product.

When wondering how to make the right choice in favor of the original, it makes sense to go to the geology museum. There you can carefully examine the pattern written by nature, feel its energy and magnetism.

How do you like the article?

Malachite is an ornamental stone that is often found in jewelry, souvenirs and various decorative elements. Many people know it by its bright green color and chaotic patterns on the surface. The mineral also has another interesting feature – visually it appears velor or velvet. The reason for this is its textured properties, which make it even more impressive.

Despite the fact that the stone has an affordable price, it is still often counterfeited. A copy of a mineral can be made not only by an experienced craftsman, but also by an ordinary person right at home. This is why you need to know how to determine genuine mineral in the store so as not to buy a fake.

What can be passed off as malachite?

The patterns of the mineral make it unique among other natural stones. For this reason, it is impossible to sell another natural gem under the guise of malachite. Counterfeits most often they are as follows:

1. Synthetic. Such stones are grown under artificial conditions. In appearance, they are no different from genuine specimens, as they have the same color and patterns. But synthetics do not have magical and healing properties, so they are rated several times lower.
2. Polymer clay or glass. Such material is considered the most budget and low-quality. There are patterns on them, but they do not look as natural as on natural nuggets.

An analogue is also made from malachite crumbs, which are formed after processing large specimens. The scattering is mixed with epoxy resin, and then the material is allowed to dry completely. The result is a specimen that is only half made of real gemstone.

Gemologists believe that malachite deposits on the planet are gradually being depleted. This means that fakes will become more and more common.

How to identify a real mineral

Before you go to a jewelry store for something new, we recommend remembering a few rules that will help you determine original copy:

1. Pay attention to the shine of the decoration. If you see a bright gloss, then most likely this is a fake. The surface of malachite is usually matte rather than shiny.
2. Hold the product in your hand. If the accessory is too light, then this will indicate its artificial origin, since the natural breed is heavy.
3. Look carefully at the drawing. It should not be too regular and symmetrical. If you have two jewelry in front of you, then the patterns on them should in no case be the same.
4. Count the number of shades on the product. When creating a synthetic analogue, craftsmen use only 3-4 colors. Real nuggets have twice as many shades.
5. Hold the cool jewelry in your hand for a couple of minutes. All natural woods retain their temperature for a long time, while synthetics immediately become warmer.

If you already have jewelry with this stone, then you can check its authenticity two ways:

1. Drop ammonia onto the stone. After a few minutes on a genuine specimen, this area will discolor and the substance will turn blue.
2. Drizzle lemon juice onto the gem. Bubbles will appear on the surface of real malachite, but the fake will not change in any way.

Please note that such experiments are recommended to be carried out on the back surface of the decoration. Otherwise, it will lose its original appearance and will be unsuitable for wearing.

If you do not want to take risks when purchasing an accessory, then use the tips listed above. To definitely protect yourself from deception, it is recommended to purchase jewelry only in trusted jewelry stores.