malachite

noun

mal·​a·​chite ˈma-lə-ˌkīt 

: a green mineral that is a basic carbonate of copper used especially for making ornamental objects

Examples of malachite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The first iteration was decorated with over 20 black and white clovers, but today there are plenty of variations to add to your jewelry box—from malachite to carnelian to tiger’s eye. —Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024

Others, like chrysoprase, green chalcedony, and malachite, are perhaps less so. —Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2023

Although many of the Katanga region’s mines were focused on veins of copper-bearing malachite, Shinkolobwe was mined for decades for its radium, which was used in cancer treatments and to make watch dials glow in the dark. —Roger Peet, The New Republic, 30 Aug. 2023

Stones like malachite and chalcedony were especially popular in the house’s 1970s designs (the trademark long gold pendants are often studded with them, and the highly collectible zodiac charms featured them as backgrounds). —Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 21 Aug. 2023

For the Witch Mother’s pendant (which becomes Winnie’s), Pérez used malachite and carnelian — stones significant in Wiccan culture and sourced locally in Providence, Rhode Island (where Hocus Pocus 2 was filmed). —Lindsay Kusiak, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Aug. 2023

Stone properties are major points of conversation in these halls (malachite is a 3 or 4 on the Moh’s Hardness scale, diamonds a 10), where visitors are surrounded by so many natural wonders—like a 3000-pound block of labradorite or two towering amethyst geodes or all those spodumene crystals. —Stellene Volandes, Town & Country, 8 June 2023

Take this Gem Dior watch, an homage to couture and nature in lapis lazuli and malachite cut asymmetrically to evoke a swirl of fabric swatches pinned to a mood board. —Leena Kim, Town & Country, 9 June 2023

Stephanie Brown, owner of Ox & Pine Leather Goods Co., sells valet trays, mouse pads, leather journals, belts, wallets and bags. Verdante Studio makes handcrafted jewelry with gemstones such as labradorite, garnet and malachite. —Ryan Conner, Dallas News, 2 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English melochites, from Latin molochites, from Greek molochitēs, from molochē, malachē mallow

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

malachite

noun

mal·​a·​chite ˈmal-ə-ˌkīt 

: a green mineral that contains copper and is used especially for ornamental objects