This listing is for a 4" Malachite Freeform from The Congo. Malachite is believed to be a powerful protective stone and it’s said that it absorbs negative energies, which is also why you should cleanse this stone frequently. Many people use Malachite as an alternative to the intense energies of Moldavite since they have very similar properties. It can aid in welcoming change and can open you up to new patterns, while also helping to release old patterns. Malachite encourages risk-taking and empathy. Scientifically, Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral formed by the weathering of copper orebodies. Malachite has a hardness between 3.5 and 4 on the Mohs hardness scale. Malachite has been used as a mineral pigment in green paints. The presence of malachite is also an indicator of copper. Historically it has been used as an accent for ornamental pieces and was viewed as a symbol of wealth. There is evidence that Malachite was mined as early as 4000 BC. Ancient Egyptians wore it in jewelry and used it as a coloring agent in makeup. Egyptians believed that humans would enter a paradise upon death, often described as the “field of Malachite”.