Cool Malachite Stalactite!

Awesome double finger formation. These are an emerald green (see other Stalactite for better color representation).Guys, completely natural stalactites in semi-precious stones are super rare, so don't be fooled! And they are super expensive, too.These are man-prompted and altered. Let me explain. In the cooper mines, they hang copper wires in wet locations, so that the minerals drip down the wire and build up the layers of malachite. So, yes, nature is making them and they are malachite...but, well, defining "nature" and "natural" is tricky.Additionally, some are left "natural" or matte finish, botroidal (bumpy) and some are coated with a mixture of crushed malachite to give them "sparklies." All of mine were sparkly (what was available at the time). So, if you don't require a stone be 100% natural, these are really, really neat to have.Also cool, if you cut and polish, they have a beautiful ring formation inside.Size: ~4" tall and ~4" wide Weight: ~1 1/2 lbs Origin: Lubombashi, DR Congo circa 2002Malachite is a protection and prosperity stone; I associate these with abundance.