ORE FEATURES
A Monthly publication of Ozark Rock Exchange
VOL 6: Issue 1, October 6, 2004
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Main: >> Start Page >> ORE Features Archives >> 2004>> Gemstone Name | |
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ORE FEATURES: Malachite Malachite is a Grandmother stone. Her story goes back, past the burials of Egyptian royalty and into the years of unwritten history. Soft and pliant with swirling bands of green and black that intrigue the eye and launch the imagination. Malachite is easy to carve or drill, so she quickly was adopted as an adornment and talisman by our most ancient ancestors. Making her our Grandmother. There is a chemical reaction when Copper is exposed to Carbon in rain water and precipitation, it becomes Malachite. Sometimes this happens very slowly allowing crystals, stalactites and massive stone formations to grow. Other times it happens rapidly (especially in geological terms) as Bronze (an alloy of Copper) and Copper turn green from exposure to weather. Crystals of Malachite are extremely rare, many are rounded, boytroidal (grape like) formations. On occasion monoclinic crystals (thin) and prismatic wedges are discovered, usually as twins. Very few Malachite crystals are large enough to be cut into gemstones. Ornamental pieces of the stoned are carved to exploit Malachite's intricate concentric bands. These bands form as the gemstone grows through centuries of different hydrothermal events, rain and or precipitation. Rings forming "eyes", sometimes referred to as peacock's eyes, are highly sought after by the jewelry industry. Azurite, Turquoise and Chalcopyrite are some of Malachite's Copper cousins. Malachite and Azurite are especially close, often growing into one stone. In the earliest written documents on natural gifts, Malachite was associated with the herb Mallow, and the Greek word for this herb, Malache may be the origins of its name. Other references cite Malakos the Greek term for soft as the root for Malachite. Anywhere that Copper is found, Malachite is available. The earliest mines were believed to be in Western Asia where they were smelting the gemstone to produce Copper. Much of the Copper produced there ended up in Egypt. Today some of the world's prettiest specimens come from Zaire, Australia and Bisbee Arizona in the Southwest US. It is also abundant in England, Namibia, Chile, France, Mexico, Germany, South Africa and Romania.One very important location for the Malachite gemstone is missing from the list above. The Ural Mountains of Russian gave birth an unbelievable array of gems and crystals during their formative centuries. It is no wonder that these magical mountains also gave birth to a mythical Mistress of Copper Mountain, protector of of the mountain's crystal children. In 1944 (that's the oldest copyright I could find) Pavel Bazhov wrote a book called "The Malachite Casket". This collection of stories about the Mistress of Copper Mountain is based on tales the miners from the Urals have passed down. Many of these stories revolve around Malachite gemstones and the consequences of stealing or being given these gifts from the Mistress. An unrelated reference mentioned an old Russian tradition that claims drinking from a goblet made of Malachite, allows you to understand the animals. It made me wonder if this tradition comes from one of the Ural Mountains tales of the Mistress. Egyptians were some of the first to use the crystal as an adornment. Besides wearing jewelry made from Malachite, a powder made from the stone was also applied as eye make-up. This was probably not wise, as the dust from Malachite can be toxic. Hanging a Malachite from an infant's cradle was believed to keep away evil spirits and give the child a restful sleep. In Germany a talisman of Malachite and Turquoise was suppose to keep you from falling. If your stone breaks, it means that danger is coming. Italians would carve the image of a rooster on the stone to enhance it's protective powers. Rooster represented the power of the Sun, which held dominion over demons and was a defender of children, women and the weak. Other traditions would simply carve the image of the Sun for the same protective enhancement or to protect against the venom of poisonous creatures. Malachite stones with eye rings were often carved into a triangular shape and set in Silver to be worn as protection against the "Evil Eye". Malachite might provide protection against poisonous spiders or snakes, but it doesn't protect you from itself. For many years oil paints were created by crushing this gemstone. When this paint becomes damp it emits toxic fumes. If you carve or work around the dust of this crystal, keep the stone wet as you are working and please wear a respirator. In you own life, Malachite can work for you on many levels. In your personal life it can help you in appreciating the beauty around you. Not just the beauty of our planet, but it will also help you to understand and value the artistic accomplishments of our species. Using this gemstone with other stones or tools will enhance their powers. Whether you are trying to improve your financial situation, a health problem or bringing some other change, Malachite will add its creative energies and an extra boost to your creative work. To draw customers to your business, try placing Malachite in the four corners of your store, or simply keep a piece in your cash register. If you are involved in a job that requires you to "sell", Malachite will aid you with your presentation skills, helping you find the right words for each different customer and facilitate in closing the deal. Partners in business can exchange this gem to promote loyalty, honesty and success in the partnership. Are you trying to release a bad habit or harmful thoughts from your life? Are you trying to let go of a past injury that is still festering in your heart? When you send something out of your life, even a harmful thing, you must fill the space that you have emptied. Sometimes it takes us a while to know how to refill that emptiness with something that will nurture as oppose to harm. Malachite can serve as a "filler" as you go through the process of letting go. Protecting you from refilling your new empty space with different, but similar destructive emotions because they "feel comfortable". If you are having trouble reaching a goal, try some meditations with Malachite. It will aid you in seeing what obstacles lay in your path and assist you in developing a step by step plan that will get you where you want to be. It teaches responsibility while helping you to understand problems and actions on a very intuitive level so that you can respond to them instinctively. In health, Malachite is especially helpful in opening and stimulating the Heart Chakra, helping to heal emotional blockages that can lead to an unhealthy body. Its Copper content makes it an excellent candidate for relief from arthritis. For many centuries midwives carried the stone to assist with deliveries. It is also beneficial in relieving cramps and other problems from menstruation. Its historic association with different female divinities has also made it popular as a stone for female health. Promoting healthy development of a young girl into womanhood. Malachite may also assist with mending broken bones, improving immunity and the circulatory system. Some references cite it as a detoxifyer, but given Malachite's potential to be poisonous, I don't recommend making elixirs from this gemstone. Pictures of Malachite --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SUBSCRIBER'S SPECIAL: FREE Small Malachite! Receive a small Malachite with any purchase from Ozark Rock Exchange. You can shop on line at https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart You can also place your order by email at stephanie@ozarkrockexchange.com or send your telephone number for a phone appointment. Discount will be taken at the time of purchase. You must be a subscriber as of October 5, 2004 to be eligible for the Subscriber's Special; the Subscriber Special is not valid with other offers (unless otherwise stated). Only one special per subscriber, please. The Subscriber's Special will expire November 2, 2004. Remember you never pay extra for shipping at Ozark Rock Exchange! --+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SKY NOTES Sukkot ends, Wednesday October 6 -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- "No way as way, no limitations as limitation." B. Lee I confess that Bruce Lee is a cinematic hero of mine. Not that I am a fan of martial arts movies, but this gentleman moved both on screen and on his path with a divine grace that caught my heart and inspired my imagination. From time to time I struggle with the regret that I have never had a teacher. This lack of formal instruction always leaves me feeling a little inadequate, unqualified. How am I to evolve and grow if there is no one to show me the way? When I was reminded of Bruce Lee's motto the other day, I understood that my search itself was actually my teacher. No way as way does not mean anything goes. Quite the opposite. It calls for a rigorous introspection to discover all of yourself. Not just what makes you happy, but also what makes you angry, weak, afraid. What are you ignorant of, what do you know instinctively. Finding this core is not your destination, but only the start of your journey. From this point you begin an intensive and probably life long study of different disciplines and traditions. Taking from each lesson those things that give your weakness strength, your ignorance knowledge and your power protection. Bruce Lee spent many years developing a comprehensive martial arts system that would elevate his students to a new level of performance. Eventually he closed his school and let his students go when he came to the realization that each individual had their own unique way. That no one system would ever be able to evolve every practitioner to their highest potential. Each individual has unique weaknesses and strengths that impact their journey. No way as way recognizes this uniqueness in each of us. Do not waste time as I did waiting for the right teacher to come along and show you the way. Allow your journey itself to become your way to knowledge and evolution. -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Birthday Subscription Contest! ORE FEATURES, the free newsletter is celebrating its 5th birthday with this issue. As part of our Birthday Celebration, ORE is hosting a Subscription Contest. Invite your friends, family, acquaintances and other rock hounds to subscribe to this free online ezine. At the end of October, one of the new subscribers will be drawn and the new subscriber, along with the individual that invited them will both win a Imperial Topaz pendant (value $22)! Two winners, two prizes! Be sure your new subscribers tell me that you are the one that invited them. Have them send their subscription requests to subscribe@ozarkrockexchange.com or they may subscribe from any page of the website, http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com Subscribers must send in their subscription requests by Midnight Tuesday November 2nd, 2004. The winner will be drawn shortly after Midnight and announced in the November issue of ORE FEATURES and on the website. Please do not invite anyone to subscribe without their permission. New subscribers will receive a confirmation, bouncing addresses or unconfirmed subscription requests will not be entered in the contest. You can find pictures of the prizes and more information on the contest at http://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/highlights/events/index.shtml -+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+-- What's Happening At Ozark Rock Exchange? AMETHYST CLUSTERS: Beautiful deep purple Amethyst clusters from Uruguay. Most pieces are about palm size or smaller, there is one spectacular 8 pound cluster as well. You can see these newest pieces at: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23_28 THE BEAD GALLERY: The Bead Gallery is now open with Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Mook Jasper, Malachite, Carnelian beads and more. Check them out at: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=38 MY STRAND POWER JEWELRY: I just finished four new strands for the My Strand collection. They include an Obsidian strand called Your Truth, plus Perfecting Opportunity, Earth Magic and Angels at Play. You can see these newest power pieces at: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=23_29 SPRINGFIELD SPIRIT, BODY, SOUL EXPO: Halloween weekend Cyndy Green will be back in Springfield Missouri for the Spirit, Body and Soul Expo. It will be Saturday and Sunday October 30 and 31 at the Lamplighter Inn North (I-44 and Glenstone). MORE SPHERES: Have been added into the Carvings section of the catalog. Amethyst, Mook Jasper and Rhodonite are just some of the new ones. Here is the link to that section of the catalog: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=21_24 NICKEL DEALS: Ozark Rock Exchange is celebrating our Fifth Anniversary all year long with Nickel Deals! October's Nickel Deals are an 8 stone grab bag for a nickel with any $13 purchase or a small Amethyst cluster for only Five Cents with any $50 purchase: https://www.ozarkrockexchange.com/cart/index.php?cPath=34 OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE is now live on chat with Yahoo Messenger. Would love to have you try and catch me sometime, I'm on line quite a bit. Just type in ozarkrockexchange and knock - feel free to add me to your friends list if you'd like and I'll add you to mine. ROCK ROOM - Is moving into the Bead Gallery on Glenstone in Springfield MO November 1, keep watching the newsletters for details. WHAT'S HAPPENING AT OZARK ROCK EXCHANGE? The answer is at MOBILE ORE STORE Springfield Spirit, Body & Soul Expo Topeka Spirit, Body & Mind Fair |
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