Malachite Slices – Congo Polished Green Banded Malachite from L’Etoile du Congo Mine

Product Overview: Mineral: Natural Malachite Locality: L'Etoile du Congo Mine (Star of the Congo Mine; Kalukuluku Mine), Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo Color: Dark Green to Light Green (banded) Treatment: None Type: Polished slices (sold individually, see numbered options below) Individual Specimens: Slice #1 – 7.0 × 8.5 × 1.0 cm, 144g Slice #2 – 8.0 × 7.0 × 0.6 cm, 104g Slice #3 – 8.0 × 6.8 × 0.5 cm, 87g Slice #4 – 8.5 × 8.5 × 0.6 cm, 90g Background:The L’Etoile du Congo Mine, also known as the Star of the Congo Mine, has long been recognized as one of the most significant sources of high-quality malachite. Distinguished by its vivid banded patterns of dark and light green, Congo malachite has been collected and used decoratively for centuries. Malachite was once a natural pigment in green paints until the early 1800s and was deeply woven into cultural traditions. In Spain, it was thought to protect children and ward off evil spirits,