Malachite

Malachite is Hydrated Copper Carbonate, and the green patina you see on weathered copper roofs is a form of it.  Malachite is a famous and very popular semi-precious stone.  The banded light and dark green designs are unique, and give it an ornamental quality unlike that of any other stone.  Malachite is somewhat of an imposter,  it frequently pseudomorphs the closely associated mineral azurite.  A pseudomorph is a mineral specimen where the original mineral has been chemically replaced by another mineral, but the outward appearance is still retained.  Malachite was popular with the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans for jewelry and amulets. It was also ground along with galena, then mixed with water, to use as eye shadow.  malachite absorbs negative energy easily, so it is important to cleanse your malachite often. People living near nuclear power plants should keep pieces of malachite in their homes, since malachite may expel plutonium.  Malachite is a powerful stone for bringing suppressed feelings to the surface, and so should be used with care.  It has earned a common title of "stone of transformation."  Also well known for it’s protective abilities, it has been used for centuries by travelers, and it is said that if the user is in any danger the stone will break or fracture to warn it’s carrier.  Malachite encourages romance, relationships, and spiritual evolution.  It can be used to attract abundance, and gain insight into health issues.

Physically, malachite is helpful for arthritis, asthma, tumors, swollen joints, broken bones, and illnesses associated with radiation.  It can lessen menstrual cramps, and is a powerful stone used for protection during birth.

Malachite is associated with the heart chakra.  It bridges the root and heart chakras.