Malachite Pigment
Malachite is the oldest known green pigment. The basic copper carbonate mineral described as bright bluish green or sometimes as pale green is from natural deposits of copper ore. Learn more.
Malachite Pigment
Malachite, the mineral, is a basic carbonate of copper, usually described as a bright greenish blue or sometimes as a pale green. Our malachite is obtained from mines in Nizhniy Tagil, Ural Mountains, Russia, and Hubei Province, China.
Pigment Names | |||||||
Common Names: | English: malachite French: malachite German: Malachit Italian: malachito Spanish: malaquita |
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Synonyms: | English: chrysocolla, green verditer, green bice, Hungarian green, mineral green, mountain green French: vert de montagne German: Berggruen, Malachitgruen Italian: verde minerale |
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Alternate Names: | It is also known as copper green, green bice, and green verditer, although these names are usually given to artificial pigment. | ||||||
Nomenclature: |
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Origin and History
It is a historical pigment found in Egyptian tomb paintings as early as the Fourth Dynasty (sixth century B.C.). It received sparse mention in medieval literature probably because it is more commonly found in egg tempera paintings than European oil easel paintings and is often associated with the mineral azurite.
Source
Malachite is basic copper carbonate found in many parts of the world in the upper oxidized portions of copper ore deposits. Notable occurrences include many classic mineral localities such as Shaba, Congo; Tsumeb, Nambia; Ural Mountains, Russia; Mexico; several sites in Australia; England; and several localities in the southwestern United States, especially Arizona, USA. Malachite is a secondary mineral of copper, which means it is formed when copper minerals are altered by other chemicals. It occurs when carbonated water interacts with copper minerals or when a solution of copper interacts with limestone.
Grades
Available from Natural Pigments in two grades or fineness of grind: fine and medium, which produce corresponding light and dark tones of green when used in aqueous medium. This malachite is a fine grade with an average particle size of 20 µ that exhibits a light green masstone with a slightly yellowish undertone. Medium-grade malachite has a particle size range between 60 and 100 microns.
Permanence and Compatibility
Malachite has often proved to be permanent in oil paintings, although it may acquire a dull, brownish hue owing to the darkening of the oil. It is unaffected by exposure to light. In theory, copper carbonate is blackened by sulfur compounds so that it may be affected by exposure to hydrogen sulfide found in polluted air. It is said to be incompatible with sulfide pigments, such as cadmium yellow, orpiment, realgar ultramarine, and vermilion. Even though theoretically subject to blackening when mixed with sulfide pigments, this has never been reported in practice. In tempera paintings, according to A. H. Church [Chemistry of Paints and Painting, p. 200], it is found to have stood well. Malachite passages on Italian frescoes are often still bright green.
Oil Absorption and Grinding
No data has been published on the oil absorption properties of malachite. To be useful as a bright green, it must be ground relatively coarse because, if too finely ground, it becomes too pale for practical use. Cennino Cennini remarks, “if you were to grind it too much, it would come out a dingy and ashy color.” He recommends grinding it in water: “when you have got it worked up, put it into the dish; put some clear water over the color, and stir the water up well with the color. Then let it stand for the space of one hour, or two or three; and pour off the water; and the green will be more beautiful. And wash it this way two or three times, and it will be still more beautiful.” Being moderately low in refractive index, it may be more useful in an aqueous medium like tempera than in an oil medium. However, beautiful results have been achieved with this pigment in oil.
Toxicity
Malachite is moderately toxic, and care should be taken in handling the dry powder pigment to avoid inhaling the dust.
Pigment: Malachite, Fine Grade
Pigment Information | |
Color: | Blue-Green |
Colour Index: | Pigment Green 39 (77492) |
Chemical Name: | Copper Carbonate Hydroxide |
Chemical Formula: | Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 |
ASTM Lightfastness Rating | |
Acrylic: | Not Rated |
Oil: | Not Rated |
Watercolor: | Not Rated |
Properties | |
Density: | 3.8 |
Hardness: | 3.5–4.0 |
Refractive Index: | 1.655–1.909 |
SKU | 420-20 |
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Brand | Rublev Colours |
Vendor | Rublev Colours |
Processing Time | Usually ships the next business day. |
Color | Green |
Pigment Type | Inorganic, Historical, Natural |
WARNING! Contains copper carbonate. Harmful if swallowed or if inhaled. Causes serious eye irritation. Avoid breathing dust. Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product. Wear eye protection and face protection. Never use near children or pets. Conforms to ASTM D 4236.
Hazard Pictograms
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GHS07: Exclamation Mark |
Signal Word: Warning
Hazard Statements
H302: Harmful if swallowed.
H332: Harmful if inhaled.
H319: Causes serious eye irritation.
Precautionary Statements
P261: Avoid breathing dust/ fume/ gas/ mist/ vapors/ spray.
P270: Do not eat, drink or smoke when using this product.
P280: Wear protective gloves/ clothing/ eye/ face protection.
Response Statements
P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove victim to fresh air and keep at rest in a position comfortable for breathing.
P305+P351+P338: IF IN EYES: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
P312: Call a POISON CENTER or doctor/physician if you feel unwell.
P330: Rinse mouth.
Order Processing
If the Processing Time for items in your order is "Usually ships within 24-48 hours", your order will usually be processed within 48 hours of receipt Monday through Friday. Orders received during weekends and holidays will be processed on the next business (working) day. Orders with longer processing times will be shipped when all items become available.
Shipping Rates
Please add your desired items and the delivery address to your basket to determine the exact shipping costs and options. The table below provides shipping rates for different weights to the countries we ship to.
Carriers
We use the following carriers to deliver orders:
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Below is an approximate guide to shipping costs for locations in Europe. Rates may change without notice.
COUNTRY | ALPHA-2 | RATES PER PARCELS | CARRIER | |
0–10 kg | >10 kg–30 kg | |||
Austria | AT | 11,50 € | 11,50 € | DPD |
Belgium | BE | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
Bulgaria | BG | 20,25 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | BA | 49,25 € | 49,25 € | DPD |
Cyprus | CY | 21,80 € | 29,30 € | FedEx |
Switzerland | CH | 25,85 € | 42,98 € | FedEx |
Czech Republic | CZ | 12,00 € | 12,00 € | DPD |
Germany | DE | 5,50 € | 5,50 € | DPD |
Denmark | DK | 12,00 € | 12,00 € | DPD |
Spain | ES | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
Estonia | EE | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
Finland | FI | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
France | FR | 14,60 € | 14,60 € | DPD |
United Kingdom | GB | – € | – € | – |
Greece | GR | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
Croatia | HR | 29,25 € | 29,25 € | DPD |
Hungary | HU | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Ireland | IE | 17,48 € | 28,50 € | FedEx |
Iceland | IS | 30,70 € | 62,40 € | DHL |
Italy | IT | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Liechtenstein | LI | 25,85 € | 43,00 € | FedEx |
Lithuania | LT | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
Luxembourg | LU | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
Latvia | LV | 21,70 € | 21,70 € | DPD |
Malta | MT | 21,80 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
Monaco | MC | 15,95 € | 24,30 € | FedEx |
Netherlands | NL | 10,95 € | 10,95 € | DPD |
Norway | NO | 25,85 € | 43,00 € | FedEx |
Poland | PL | 14,90 € | 14,90 € | DPD |
Portugal | PT | 15,50 € | 15,50 € | DPD |
Romania | RO | 21,80 € | 30,25 € | FedEx |
Serbia | RS | 49,25 € | 49,25 € | DPD |
Slovakia | SK | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Slovenia | SI | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Sweden | SE | 15,90 € | 15,90 € | DPD |
Turkey | TR | 27,30 € | 46,20 € | FedEx |
Note: Countries in RED type are not members of the European Union.
Postal Service
Shipping (EU and non-EU countries):
Up to 500 grams Tracked: 6,85 €
Up to 1000 grams Tracked: 10,45 €
Up to 2000 grams Tracked: 20,50 €
Tracking
For tracking details, please log in to your Natural Pigments account.
We track all orders where a tracked delivery service has been selected.
We will update your order with the tracking information if the shipping carrier provides a tracking number. You can locate the tracking number for your order in the shipping confirmation email you receive when your order is shipped. (Look for the email with the subject line "Natural Pigments: Shipment # xxxxxxxxx for Order # xxxxxxxxx.") You can also find the tracking number by signing into your account and visiting My Account Dashboard under Recent Orders.
VAT for Orders within the European Union
VAT is not included in prices unless specified on the website as VAT INCLUSIVE. VAT is calculated for Germany at 19% on both order subtotal and shipping cost and is added to the order grand total.
VAT, Duties, and Tariffs for Orders Outside of the European Union
VAT is not included in prices and totals unless specified on the website as VAT INCLUSIVE. Duties, tariffs, and customs broker fees are not included in the prices and totals on the website. These charges are in addition to what you will pay when ordering. These charges originate in the delivery country, so please contact your local customs for more information.
Shipping Rates
The rate charged for the shipping of your order is based on the weight of your products and your location. Before the final checkout page, you will be shown what the shipping cost will be, and you will have a chance to abandon your order if you decide not to place it.
Shipping Damage
For shipping damage, customers should file a claim with the carrier immediately. Any discrepancy, including wrong or missing items, should be reported to Natural Pigments within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt.
Back Orders
We do not accept backorders for out-of-stock items. If you order an out-of-stock item, we will email you when we expect that product to be available. You will be among the first to receive the item when it becomes available. Natural Pigments will not charge your credit card for out-of-stock items.