Hand-carved malachite heart suspended on a vintage style 18k gold cable chain

Well known to ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, Malachite mines were in use as early as 4000 B.C. Cleopatra is said to have been buried with a large vase of her favorite green Kohl—made from ground malachite— for use in the afterlife, and during the Renaissance Malachite was used as a pigment for paints and dyes. It is believed that many of the green colors found in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel painting were painted with malachite-based oil paints. We find this uniquely banded green stone perfect for adorning ourselves as well.