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Home > Malachite > 6 Ways to Tell if malachite is Real

6 Ways to Tell if malachite is Real

Materials like reconstituted malachite, Glass, and plastic are often mistakenly sold as natural malachite. It's advisable to buy from reputable retailers and, if possible, request a certificate from a gem testing laboratory for authentication. Here are some handy tips to help you initially discern the authenticity of malachite.

1. Check the Color

Real: Real Malachite exhibits rich, varying shades of green. Its color transitions are gradual and natural.
Fake: Fake Malachites made from plastic or glass show abrupt changes between light and dark green, with high color contrast indicating its inauthenticity. Black stripes are often observed in imitations.

2. Check the Pattern

Real: Fake Malachite displays intricate, naturally occurring patterns and varied green shades, similar to swirls.
Fake: Fake Malachite often features artificial, less complex patterns that are painted or printed, usually displaying "thicker" and more contrasting bands.

3. Touch Test

Real: Real Malachites feel cold to the touch.
Fake: Plastic-made fakes feel warm to the touch.

4. Weigh in the hand

The density of plastic is much lower than that of Malachite. When held in the hand, plastic will feel noticeably light and airy in comparison.

5. Acid Test

Real: No visible reaction will happen when hydrochloric acid or white vinegar is dropped on real Malachite.
Fake: Calcite-made fakes exhibit fizzing or effervescence when exposed to hydrochloric acid or white vinegar.

6. Acetone Test

Real: Rubbing the real Malachite with nail polish remover (acetone/ethyl alcohol) won't cause the stone to fade.
Fake: Swabbing the dyed fakes with a Q-tip and some nail polish remover (acetone/ethyl alcohol) might cause the stone to fade. This method may not be effective for some dyed fakes with better colorfastness.
Malachite
Malachite
A species of Rosasite Group, also known as Mountain Green, Green Carbonate of Copper, Malakhite, Hemiprismatischer Habronnem-Malachit
Scientific name: Malachite
Mineral Group: Rosasite Group
Description
Description
A copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, malachite is well-known for its distinctive green shading, which renders it an attractive carving material. It has been mined in modern-day Great Britain and Israel for over three thousand years. Until 1800, it was used as a pigment in green paints.
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