THE Malachite wear and tear one stop shop for information

[BigAkoya]

When you say "it got ugly" do you mean it does not look green anymore and lost it's color or that it just lost the luster it had when it was new? I have had mine for many years and it still looks good- I think the striations have faded a bit but the color is still a vibrant green and it the gold is shiny like new. I would love to see how yours "got ugly". I have never hear of this.

Hi! Yes... it got dull and the striations which is the beauty of malachite faded and it looked like a dull green stone. The gold was fine, no issues there. Very disappointed so I got rid of it. Didn’t want to look at it anymore. Good thing I had not gotten the necklace yet.

I got the earrings in the summer as I recall... wore them a lot. Then I stopped wearing them when it turned late fall/winter as I like malachite (green) for spring / summer and not fall / winter (looks kind of Christmasy to me). Then I sort of noticed it was getting dull, then I realized the striations were not so pronounced but thought it was my imagination. When spring came around, I wore it again and then really noticed the change. SA said she has seen it happen and it is the nature of the stone and is not meant for daily wear. She said malachite needs care which is consistent with what others said their SA also told them. She said I could replace the stones (for a fee ofcourse), but I thought, why bother and then have to baby it. I don’t like to baby my jewelry so I just took that as a lesson on malachite. From reading the above posts, it seems it happens to some folks but not others, I wonder if it may be our body chemistry, lotions, etc. probably more the lotions is my guess since they are earrings and I touch the malachite to put them on.

So I gave up on malachite....I am not going to scrub down before I put on malachite earrings, too much effort. [emoji1]

 

[BigAkoya]

When you say "it got ugly" do you mean it does not look green anymore and lost it's color or that it just lost the luster it had when it was new? I have had mine for many years and it still looks good- I think the striations have faded a bit but the color is still a vibrant green and it the gold is shiny like new. I would love to see how yours "got ugly". I have never hear of this.

By the way, how often do you wear yours? And is it earrings, necklace, ring? Thanks!

 

[MYH]

If you treated it as a special occasion piece and babied it maybe it would be ok. But personally one of the things I love about VCA is it’s everyday wearability and that’s how I use it so if it were me I’d pass but others may feel differently.

Yeah I’m really struggling here because I wouldn’t use it everyday. Maybe more like twice a week and I love it so much!

I wonder if VCA can re-polish or re-treat the malachite so that it can look new?

I haven’t heard that EB. They will replace the stones though for a fee.

No. It is not a good choice as when you put it on, your fingers will grab the malachite and it will get dull over time. There is no way around not touching it. Happened to me. For me, I will never get malachite again (I was going to get a necklace to match). It is such a gorgeous stone and really pops, but it gets dull and changes color really quick. Mine got ugly in about 13 months from the time I bought it. Big big regret.

Would you be so kind as to post a photo of your malachite earrings so we can see what they look like now?

 

[MYH]

I have a malachite bracelet. It still looks perfect since I choose carefully which days to wear - no lotion, not with kids, etc. I don’t like that I have to be so careful with it yet I have so many bracelet that it is not hard to be more careful. It is such a beautiful stone and DH bought it for me, so I am happy to have it in my collection.

I’m happy to hear yours still looks great!

i have a 20 motif malachite necklace. bought a few years ago. never had any problems. i also accidentally knock it occasionally on my office desk. it's still in one piece and still as bright as ever.

Thank you for this! I’m feeling encouraged I can handle this Stone.

Extremely delicate i wear 3 5 motif bracelets on my right arm everyday.. MOP ONYX and MALACHITE..the malachite lost its shine and is dull but still stunning! I do not baby my jewels they are meant to be worn and enjoyed..like a piece of you..You have to go for what you love its worth it

Would you be so so kind and post a pic of your bracelet? I’d love to see what the motifs look like now. I think I will probably be in your same boat and think they are still beautiful even though they have lost their shine.

 

[MYH]

Hi! Yes... it got dull and the striations which is the beauty of malachite faded and it looked like a dull green stone. The gold was fine, no issues there. Very disappointed so I got rid of it. Didn’t want to look at it anymore. Good thing I had not gotten the necklace yet.

I got the earrings in the summer as I recall... wore them a lot. Then I stopped wearing them when it turned late fall/winter as I like malachite (green) for spring / summer and not fall / winter (looks kind of Christmasy to me). Then I sort of noticed it was getting dull, then I realized the striations were not so pronounced but thought it was my imagination. When spring came around, I wore it again and then really noticed the change. SA said she has seen it happen and it is the nature of the stone and is not meant for daily wear. She said malachite needs care which is consistent with what others said their SA also told them. She said I could replace the stones (for a fee ofcourse), but I thought, why bother and then have to baby it. I don’t like to baby my jewelry so I just took that as a lesson on malachite. From reading the above posts, it seems it happens to some folks but not others, I wonder if it may be our body chemistry, lotions, etc. probably more the lotions is my guess since they are earrings and I touch the malachite to put them on.

So I gave up on malachite....I am not going to scrub down before I put on malachite earrings, too much effort. [emoji1]

Thank you for sharing your experience with malachite. Do you happen to have any before and after pics to share with us?

 

[MYH]

If anyone has photos of your malachite pieces that have lost their “shine”, could you please share them here?

 

[BigAkoya]

Thank you for sharing your experience with malachite. Do you happen to have any before and after pics to share with us?

No, I don’t. I recall seeing a post of someone who shared a photo of the striations fading and her stone turned really deep green. You may want to search or one of the ladies above who posted with similar issues that still has their piece might chime in.

 

[BigAkoya]

I found the photos of the before and after...you can search on malachite on the VCA forum where she posted. She says her color really got dark and also look at the striations in the darker necklace.

 

[doloresmia]

Hi MYH!!!!

I have had malachite earrings, pendant and 10 motif for awhile - I think. For sure I wear them a lot and have not noticed issues and I am not as sensitive maybe so don’t notice. The stones can be replaced by VCA if I recall if something terrible happens

For example other than different lighting, can’t see anything wrong in picture above

 

[MYH]

I found the photos of the before and after...you can search on malachite on the VCA forum where she posted. She says her color really got dark and also look at the striations in the darker necklace.

Thank you for digging up the photos. I was actually kinda relieved to see this because I actually don’t mind the 2018 photo so much. Yes I can see a change in the green, but it doesn’t look terrible to me.

 

[MYH]

Hi MYH!!!!

I have had malachite earrings, pendant and 10 motif for awhile - I think. For sure I wear them a lot and have not noticed issues and I am not as sensitive maybe so don’t notice. The stones can be replaced by VCA if I recall if something terrible happens

For example other than different lighting, can’t see anything wrong in picture above

Hey Darling! Thank you for sharing your personal experience. I’m happy to hear you have not had any issues with your malachite. Do you usually wipe them off or do anything to clean your pieces before you put them away?

And yes, you’re absolutely correct. The stones can be replaced. It’s not crazy expensive either so that’s always an option.

 

[Notorious Pink]

I found the photos of the before and after...you can search on malachite on the VCA forum where she posted. She says her color really got dark and also look at the striations in the darker necklace.



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Yikes....I like the color of the motifs in the “after” pic much more.

Similarly...Letterwood motifs darken over time as well. I have confused a well-worn Letterwood necklace with onyx (the pink gold gave it away).

 

[ForeverInPink]

Yikes....I like the color of the motifs in the “after” pic much more.

Similarly...Letterwood motifs darken over time as well. I have confused a well-worn Letterwood necklace with onyx (the pink gold gave it away).

^^^This is actually a very good description of what the malachite looks and feels like once it's faded over time--just like letterwood in appearance and texture, with fainter striations and not so shiny and glossy. If you don't mind that then go for it @MYH. But if you are very attached to that bright, glossy appearance with striations that pop then I would avoid.

 

[BigAkoya]

Yikes....I like the color of the motifs in the “after” pic much more.

Similarly...Letterwood motifs darken over time as well. I have confused a well-worn Letterwood necklace with onyx (the pink gold gave it away).

Yes! You are absolutely correct. I should also mention the SA told me the same when I asked her about other stone options. She said letterwood is another stone that requires care.

Thanks for sharing that and confirming what the SA said!

 

[Notorious Pink]

Yes! You are absolutely correct. I should also mention the SA told me the same when I asked her about other stone options. She said letterwood is another stone that requires care.

Thanks for sharing that and confirming what the SA said!

That Letterwood necklace was actually owned/worn by an SA in Vegas (Crystals). 20 motif OMG it was gorgeous. Usually I’m a PITA about keeping things new looking but Letterwood I love either way.

Funny I have never considered malachite because that color looks terrible on me....too yellow (actually I have the same problem with the turquoise). The worn version looks darker and less yellow....a color I can wear!