Geology 101: Malachite Madness

Malachite and malachite-inspired decor have long been popular interior design resources due to the mineral’s special characteristics. From antiquity until the 1800s, malachite was used as mineral pigment for green paint. In Italy malachite is called the “peacock stone” and is greatly valued for its intricate patterns. When sliced and polished, malachite is known for its intense green color and beautiful banded masses. The most highly sought after malachite has bands consisting of concentric circles. Polished malachite has been carved into ornaments and worn as jewelry for thousands of years; some ancient civilizations believed that wearing it warded off evil spirits. Find out ways this green gem is being used today and how you can incorporate it into your home.

At a Glance
Name: Malachite; named for the Greek word “mallow” (a green herb)
Category: Carbonate material
Formula: Cu2CO3(OH)2
Color: Bright green, dark green or blackish green

Malachite is a copper carbonate mineral most commonly mined in Africa. It is usually found in copper deposits around limestones, which is the source of the carbonate. Other places known for their malachite reserves are Russia, Australia, Brazil and Arizona.

Shown: Unrefined malachite


A section of sliced and polished malachite, seen here in a display at a mineralogy museum in Poland, highlights the prized concentric bands found in the green gemstone.


The semiprecious stone is a featured player in two historic places — the Malachite Room in the Winter Palace (the Hermitage) in St. Petersburg, Russia, and the Malachite Room in Mexico City’s Museo Nacional de Historia, pictured here.





The legendary Hollywood designer Tony Duquette (1914–1999) used malachite-patterned designs extensively in his Beverly Hills home, Dawnridge, and in many of his clients’ homes. More recently, fashion and interior designer Kelly Wearstler and midcentury design guru Jonathan Adler have helped repopularize malachite-inspired designs.

Above, faux malachite tops a coffee table in Duquette’s one-time living room. At left, malachite-patterned wallpaper lines a wall at the Dawnridge estate. Below, malachite-patterned fabric covers outdoor dining chairs.





Bold in Bathrooms

Lining your bathroom walls in real malachite would cost a pretty penny — lots of pretty pennies. However, there are plenty of ways to get the look without having to rob a bank.

The Precious Stones series from Fiandre uses images that are inkjet printed onto a slab of engineered clay and then fired. The final result is a large glazed porcelain tile that looks like a slab of polished stone, such as the malachite version shown here.


Turning his groovy tastes to malachite, Jonathan Adler played up the concentric circles found in malachite and turned them blue for his new Formica collection.


Malachite appears as a jewel-like detail in this lever handle from Kallista Plumbing.


Work the Whorls With Wallpaper

The concentric circles (or whorls) unique to malachite make a great repeating pattern for wallpaper.

Italian artist and designer Piero Fornasetti used malachite patterns for furniture designs and even a limited-edition bicycle series. For a recent wallpaper collection, Cole & Son introduced a series of 14 Fornasetti designs, including malachite in a variety of color options, from the classic emerald green to silver and black.


Browse 13 more creative ways to use patterned wallpaper


This wallpaper is a custom design, but similar peel-and-stick wall decals with malachite images can be found on Houzz and at Wallmonkeys.


Fit It Into Your Fabrics

For a fabric or furniture covering, the rich greens and jewel-like quality of malachite make for a luxurious choice for both traditional and contemporary styles. In the show-house room seen here, inspired by American fashion designer Halston, a vintage chair covered in a malachite-print fabric is an ode to 1970s swagger.


The classic malachite green of these floor-to-ceiling curtains is a great way to draw the verdant foliage outdoors in.

Discover 9 ideas for a beautifully draped home


Malachite-patterned fabric works well in colorful midcentury homes. Here it covers the top of a Lucite bench at the end of a bed.


Delightful for Decorative Accents

With its ornamental origins, malachite may still work best as a decorative accent. The pops of bright, bold green mixed with captivating black swirls add instant dimension to flat surfaces.

As a border for a hallway mirror bookended by two obelisks, malachite creates an enticing entry.


Similar to emerald, the jewel tones of malachite work well with gold or brass accents. From a showstopper of a dresser to the base of a tray, the combination of green and gold catches the eye.


More: See malachite (and malachite-inspired) accessories in the Shop section

URL: Geology 101: Malachite Madness http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-26021.html