COLLECTING MALACHITE
Malachite antiques tend to occupy the higher end of the market, but keen buyers should also be able to nd more accessible options, says
It would be easy to look at the ra $ of ornate and expensive malachite antiques for sale and imagine that the market is entirely inaccessible for prospective collectors, who don’t have a spare few thousand pounds to play with. In reality, it is possible to ! nd malachite pieces that won’t break the bank, so anyone who is fascinated by this richly coloured stone should take heart that you can ! nd interesting antiques for just a few hundred pounds or less.
There are a number of factors that in "uence value. As Luc Preston explains, ‘ Things like the size of the piece, the maker and how it’s been made will a #ect the price. Whether a piece is solid or veneered malachite will also have a bearing on this.’
Jenny Oldaker
When it comes to jewellery, it’s worth looking for silver se ings.
It’s worth being aware of the kinds of pieces to avoid. Damage to the stone can reduce its value and make it much less desirable. ‘One of the problems with malachite is that it’s a carbonate, and has a very silky texture,’ John Benjamin elaborates. ‘ When moisture gets to it, you’ll ! nd the surface becomes dull and not very a"ractive.’ Water isn’t the only damage to look out for. ‘ The other problem with malachite is that it cracks,’ says John. ‘So it’s important to examine it minutely, because once a piece breaks, you can’t repair it.’ In terms of a #ordable ornamental malachite, look out for veneered – rather than solid – malachite, or pieces with smaller malachite accents, as these may a"ract a lower price tag. It is possible to ! nd small malachite antiques from the later 19th century for less than £1,000 – a solid malachite pillbox (c1880) is currently available for £350 at Regent Antiques, representing the kind of entry-level decorative item that might make an appealing buy for new collectors.
Sterling choice
When it comes to jewellery, it’s worth looking for silver (rather than gold) se"ings from the mid to late 19th century. ‘ I would say the best entry point is mass-produced, lower-grade jewellery,’ says John. ‘ You can still expect to buy a fairly modest, relatively low-grade malachite silver brooch for less than £100, but if you can coax out a bit more money and go for something that’s got a bit of style to it, I would say anything for £100 to £ 200 would buy you something respectable.’
It’s de! nitely worth keeping your eyes peeled: ‘Sometimes people don’t know what they’re selling,’ says Luc. ‘I once found two malachite specimen eggs in a charity shop for £ 4 each!’