Malachite is a very popular semi-precious stone. Some of this popularity is due to the beautiful designs in which the bands of lighter and darker green come together to produce swirls and patterns of unequal beauty in the gemstone world. Malachite sometimes occurs in copper mines and can be found along with turquoise, lapis lazuli and some other stones. The main source of malachite is Africa and the Ural Mountains of Russia.

Malachite was used as a gemstone by the ancient Egyptians. The Russian Czars prized malachite, some even had rooms that were made with malachite walls, columns, and fireplaces.