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These beautiful stones are made of various shades of green in a distinctive swirled or banded pattern. Historians are uncertain if the word malachite comes from the Greek word 'malhe' (meaning 'grass') or 'malakos' (meaning 'soft' for its ease in carving), but the first recorded uses of the stone date back to Ancient Egypt. Powdered malachite can be found in the green paints on the walls of the Sistine Chapel. Most notably, giant pieces of malachite were carved for use in the palaces of the Romanov dyansty, making columns and encasing walls. These beads are much smaller than the walls at 6mm, round, and smoothed to best display their beautiful and distinctive banding.
Semi-precious stone beads are mined all over the world and then are usually cut in China. They will often be dyed or color-treated to enhance their appearance. We select the best quality semi-precious that is available, and try to avoid finishes that are not durable. It is best to assume that some semi-precious beads will fade over time.
All counts & weights are approximate