MALACHITE PLATE

MALACHITE PLATE

An outstanding mosaic Malachite Plate framed beautifully in brass.  Many small pieces chosen for their banding joined seamlessly together.  Very attractive and great for display in the cabinet or home.  Comes with small acrylic stand.

Location:
Africa.
Dimensions:
13.8cm x 13.8cm x 3cm, 246g.

Malachite: Cu₂(CO₃)(OH)_2.
Named in antiquity by Pliny the Elder (79 CE) molochitus after the Greek “mallows” in allusion to the green color of the leaves. Known in the new spelling, malachites, at least by 1661.
Malachite is a green, very common secondary copper mineral with a widely variable habit.  Typically it is found as crystalline aggregates or crusts, often banded in appearance, like agates. It is also often found as botryoidal clusters of radiating crystals, and as mammillary aggregates as well. Single crystals and clusters of distinguishable crystals are uncommon, but when found they are typically acicular to prismatic. It is also frequently found as a pseudomorph after Azurite crystals, which are generally more tabular in shape.