Stone Malachite

Description

Malachite is a historic green pigment made by grinding the natural copper carbonate mineral into a fine powder. This brilliant green has been used since antiquity from Ancient Egypt and Imperial China to Renaissance Europe, where it appeared in frescoes, manuscripts, and panel paintings. Our malachite pigment is made exclusively from high-quality, natural stone sourced and prepared by hand, without synthetic additives or dyes.

The color of malachite ranges from a cool mint green to a deep, mossy tone depending on grind size and medium. Its crystalline structure gives the pigment a soft shimmer and gentle granulation that creates lively texture on the page or canvas. In watercolor, it layers beautifully and has semi-opaque coverage. In egg tempera or oil, it produces a luminous, historic green ideal for landscapes, iconography, and restoration work.

History

Malachite has been one of the oldest known green pigments, prized not only for its vivid color but also for its symbolic and spiritual significance. It was used in Ancient Egypt for tomb paintings and amulets, ground into cosmetic pastes, and even carved into ceremonial objects. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was used in manuscript illumination and panel paintings, though it was often reserved for special commissions due to its cost.

Artists such as Giotto, Fra Angelico, and Cennino Cennini used malachite for everything from Madonna robes to verdant landscapes, praising its beautiful tone and compatibility with tempera. In Chinese and Islamic painting traditions, malachite also held importance, symbolizing nature, paradise, and renewal.

Though eventually supplanted by more stable or synthetically produced greens like verdigris and viridian, malachite remains a favorite among traditionalists and historical painters for its beauty, granularity, and authenticity.

Health and Safety

Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Do not consume.

Not for cosmetic or food usage.

Do not spray apply.

For further health information, contact a poison control center.

Use care when handling dry pigments and avoid dust formation.

Malachite is a copper-based pigment and may be toxic if inhaled or ingested.

Avoid creating or breathing dust; wear a NIOSH-approved dust respirator.

Wear gloves and protective clothing while handling.

Work in a well-ventilated area.

Wash hands after handling.

This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or reproductive harm.

Warnings and bottle information are abbreviated.

Pigment Information

Pigment Type: Natural mineral pigment from copper carbonate (Malachite)

Suitable Mediums: Watercolor, Egg Tempera, Oil, Acrylic, Fresco

Lightfastness: Good to Excellent

Opacity: Semi-opaque

Other Names: Green Bice, Mountain Green, Vert de Montagne

Color Index Code: PG39