Start with the surface. This 22.1 carat malachite is green in layers, with concentric swirls that no other stone repeats. It is opaque, so it does not sparkle; it reads as colour and pattern, like a small landscape.

It is also one of the softest gems we list, at 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. A fingernail will not mark it, but a steel key or a grain of sand can. That is why malachite often gets a protective coat of wax or resin, and why its polished face deserves some care.

Next to gems like sapphire or emerald, malachite is very modestly priced. You are paying for pattern and size, not rarity.

Wear it where it will not get struck. A pendant is safest, and a ring should be kept for quieter hours. Never soak it, and keep it away from acids and perfume. Quote AG-000306 on WhatsApp if you want the notes we hold on this stone, or look through other malachite stones to compare patterns.

It ships Cash on Delivery, so you check it before paying; Karachi usually gets it in 1–2 working days, other cities in 2–4, and returns are open for 7 days. Read our malachite guide.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural malachite with a weight of 22.1 Carat. Its price is Rs. 2,630 — roughly Rs. 119 for each carat. Treatment: treatment not tested. Quote reference AG-000306 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale malachite rates 3.5 to 4. That makes it soft for a gemstone, better suited to pendants, earrings and rings for special occasions than to a daily ring. Keep it away from perfume, cleaning products, steam and ultrasonic cleaners, and polish it with a dry, soft cloth after wear.

Whoever you buy malachite from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every malachite for those three points before it is listed, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Treatment not tested. No lab report yet; independent testing welcome. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Malachite is commonly waxed or resin-polished to protect its soft surface. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.