Malachite (MAL-ah-kite) a name derived from the Greek word for 'mallow', a green plant of the genus malva- is an intense green copper carbonate. while malachite frequently occurs as attractive clusters of radiating acicular crystals is undoubtedly best known and most widely used for lapidatry purpose in a massive from that may be mammiliary, botryoidal, stalactitic or globular. since the meterial occurs in so many shapes and can be shown in any direction, the variation in light and dark green banded, wavy and concentric patterns are endless. Malachite can be worked withy steel tools and it readily takes a fine polish with hand buffing. metal polish is the preferrd finishing agent in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo where handcrafting malchite is a sibgnificant industry. In addition to cabochons. african mask, rounded or freely shaped beads, malachite is carved as animal souvenirs, chess board, hollowed out for trinket bowls and ashtrays and even used for table tops.