Methods for the production of artificial malachite. Imitation malachite

Dear readers, if you want to learn how to imitate malachite, then take a look at this page, which shows and tells in detail how to do this imitation malachite with his own hand.

Imitating malachite is not so difficult, but you should always have a sample in front of your eyes that you will imitate. For this, the Internet will help us, from which I posted here a photo depicting natural malachite.

If you noticed, malachite consists of veins of a greenish-turquoise hue with different saturations. These veins form all sorts of chaotic curls, which we will learn how to create on the surface to be decorated, which must first be primed, and if the surface is wooden, then the surface must be sanded beforehand. To achieve a smooth surface, after the primer has dried, sand it with sandpaper and cover it with a very light malachite shade.

When the light malachite shade dries, cover it acrylic varnish and dry the surface. While all this was happening preliminary stage imitation malachite.

Now comes the most interesting main stage of the simulation

Mix the paint with a more saturated malachite color and add a couple of drops of black for depth. If you have a medium for acrylic or glisal, then we dilute the paint with these means. If you don’t have this product available, which slows down drying and makes the paint more viscous and transparent, then replace it with washing gel, which, like the first products, will slow down the drying of the paint, which means we will have time to properly twirl over it with a homemade sponge made of twisted corrugated paper.

We first apply our malachite mixture with a wide brush and immediately begin smoothing this layer with screw movements, as shown in the picture.

During these creative manipulations, we spy on the sample with one eye. which one you choose as a role model :)

That's all the imitation, which runs very quickly and looks bright and rich :)

Successful experiments with homemade malachite imitation with your own hands :)

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In this article:

Malachite is very widely used in decorative and applied arts. It is a basic copper carbonate, and is interesting not for its color, shine, or shades, but for its complex pattern, which is formed over many years thanks to natural conditions. For a long time it was not possible to obtain an artificial stone, but now on the market you can find many copies of the mineral synthesized in the laboratory. How to make malachite and is it possible at home?

The answer to this question is only half yes. In nature, malachite is formed in places of copper ore deposits, provided that they occur in carbonate rocks. When copper ore is washed out under the influence of groundwater and oxygen and carbon dioxide dissolved in it, copper goes into solution. This solution contains copper ions, which slowly seep through the limestone and react with it. As a result, basic copper carbonate is formed.

Imitation malachite

Exists chemical reaction, which allows you to get malachite at home. In order to do this, you need:

• anhydrous sodium carbonate or calcined baking soda;
• copper sulfate (copper sulfate, copper sulfate);
• funnel;
• Petri dish;
• filter paper;
• cones and vessels.

Anhydrous sodium carbonate and copper sulfate are mixed in equal quantities. Next, the precipitate is filtered using a funnel and filter paper. After this, the paper with the sediment is removed and dried in a Petri dish. This will be malachite powder. Anhydrous sodium carbonate can also be made by baking regular baking soda in a frying pan.

As you can see, this method does not allow one to obtain a stone, but only a powder of the substance.

Industrial production

There are several ways to obtain artificial malachite. The first and most obvious is the use of natural malachite in powder form and sintering it under high pressure. The main process that occurs is that the substance becomes denser and recrystallizes. The same method is used in America to produce turquoise. It is also used to obtain other semi-precious stones of such a type.

In our country, such malachite is produced by fusing crushed minerals at a pressure of up to 10 thousand atmospheres; at the same time, the sample must be heated to 100 degrees. The result is a continuous mass in the form of plates.

Another possible way- hydrothermal. It is based on the fact that water acts as a solvent. But since under normal conditions it is capable of dissolving not many substances, certain ones are created - high pressure and temperature. This method produces malachite stone, very similar to natural one. But the main task is to obtain the texture of the stone. At one time, the technology was developed at three Soviet enterprises and is now widely used both here and abroad, for example, in Canada.

A specific technology for producing stone artificially, which would also make it possible to obtain a malachite pattern, is mentioned in many popular science and news magazines. However, in detailed descriptions no specific recipe is given. It turns out that to this day the technology remains a secret.

Thus, there is no known method for producing malachite at home so that it fully matches the original.

In order to imitate malachite, other methods are widely used.

Imitation

One way to make a product from malachite is to use polymer clay. Polymer clay is a substance that is polyvinyl chloride with the addition of plasticizers. It is used as a basis for making crafts. For example, flowers are made from it. There are two types of plastic: one hardens at a temperature of 100 degrees, the other at room temperature, but over a longer period of time. During hardening, the plasticizer evaporates and a polyvinyl chloride product is obtained.

To make malachite from polymer clay, take several shades of green and roll them into small circles. I put them one on top of the other in a random order and pull out “sausages” from them, which are then stretched, cut into pieces and folded again. The result is a pattern that exactly imitates the surface of the stone. This stone is used for pendants and jewelry inserts.

Another option to imitate malachite on any surfaces is to apply acrylic paint. To begin with, paint, again of various shades of green, is applied to the prepared primed surface. It is covered with spots in a random order of different colors. The main task here is to paint the entire surface.

Next, to give the paint an even more random pattern, a film or plastic bag is used. After this, using a scalpel, a plastic tool of a similar shape, or a piece of paper, a lamellar pattern is imitated natural stone. The product is sprayed with water and excess paint is removed with paper. At the end, you can coat the workpiece with varnish.

Another option for simulating malachite in the interior is decorative plaster. Same as in the decoration method acrylic paints, plaster of different shades is used. It is applied as a final layer and does not require painting, but is opened with varnish.

The “Mistress of the Copper Mountain” from the fairy tale could not even imagine that people, not having reached her treasures in the mountains, would begin to forge her pride - . But they often try to pass off imitations of the mineral as the original. Do you have a malachite product at home? If so, then you can rest assured. After all, malachite is a stone of health and a protector from all sorts of misfortunes. The main thing is to know how to distinguish malachite from a fake when buying a stone.

The demand for the mineral is still high, but large deposits have mostly been depleted. Therefore, to make up for the shortage on the shelves, artificial analogues are increasingly appearing. The unusual malachite color always pleases the eye in crafts and jewelry. But paying a high price for a fake is unpleasant. There are several criteria for distinguishing natural malachite from a fake.

What does a real mineral look like?

Natural malachite is not translucent and has a low density, which makes it easier to process. The treated surface of the mineral reveals a bizarre pattern of blurry curved rings, painted in different shades of green. The color shimmers and smoothly transitions from almost colorless to dark emerald green. All this is in strict sequence, each ring has its own shade, as if a skilled artist had carefully drawn the pattern. Single-color fragments are rare.

Before processing, the sample may have a glassy sheen. But after polishing it acquires a delicate silky sheen. The stone is heat sensitive and may partially disintegrate in hot water.

In the era Soviet Union was famous for being mined near Sverdlovsk. Today, the main supplies of the mineral come from Zaire. Stones are also mined in the USA, Namibia, Chile, Australia, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan and the Urals.

Color shades will tell you how to distinguish malachite from its analogue. The production of imitations is on stream; they don’t think about the variety of colors.

Therefore, stones similar to malachite are painted in 2-3 green shades and no more. Take a close look at the sample: if only three green color options alternate in it, then you have a fake mineral in your hands. Natural stone has a pattern of lines of similar but unequal shades of emerald color. The number of green gamut options reaches ten or more.

Pressed mineral

Often, when a buyer doubts the authenticity of a material, the seller argues the quality by saying that it is a pressed sample. Pressed malachite is usually of natural origin, but of low grade. It consists of shards and fragments of stone different sizes, pressed together and connected with epoxy resin. In these samples, sharp edges of fragments and partitions between inclusions are visible. Zones of epoxy resin with pebbles floating in it are clearly visible in the mineral.

Some pressed malachite products are very beautiful, but the quality is still lower than usual, and the price should not be increased accordingly.

Ways to recognize imitation

There are several methods for identifying imitation that are available at home:

• Price. Natural stone cannot be cheap, under any circumstances or excuses. If the price is low, then the stones are definitely fake.
• Weight. Hold different samples in your palm; malachite minerals are heavier than their analogues.
• Shine and cold. Natural stones are cooler than their plastic twins. Artificial malachite has a glassy sheen, while the surface of the original is more matte.
• Hardness. The natural mineral has low hardness. Take a piece of quartz and run it over the mineral - it will immediately leave a deep mark; glass and plastic are more difficult to scratch.
• Acid test. Malachite dissolves in acid, releasing carbon dioxide and acquiring a blue color. Crafts made from analogues will not change color.
• To recognize a fake, they do a simple trick: a burning candle is brought to the sample . The plastic will immediately melt.

When talking about malachite, you need to clarify what pseudomalachite is.

This is a separate mineral, very similar in appearance. It is distinguished by its blue tint and properties unique to it. Comparing samples, an inexperienced person will easily believe that it is malachite. This mineral is quite rare. The only plus is that if they sell it to you instead of the original, you will receive not just a piece of plastic, but a natural, rare mineral.

Synthetic fakes

Scientific laboratories have developed a method for producing synthetic malachite. Manufacturing technology artificial stone allows you to obtain a mineral through synthesis that is extremely difficult to distinguish from natural. The production of artificial stone makes it possible to replace its natural samples in stone cutting. For example, for cladding various architectural fragments inside a building, given the high price of natural material.

When buying jewelry on the market, you should not expect magic or healing properties. Such products are attractive and beautiful, but they have the properties of glass or plastic, and not valuable natural stone. Therefore, you should look for the original in specialized jewelry stores, where they will show you documents confirming the natural origin of the product.

Wondering how to do right choice in favor of the original, it makes sense to go to the geology museum. There you can carefully examine the pattern written by nature, feel its energy and magnetism.

I decided to try to make an imitation of malachite on a box. I liked the result, it may not be malachite, but it’s nice.

To work you will need:

• wooden blank (box),
• screwdriver,
• files,
• primer,
• sandpaper,
• Freedecor film for dark surfaces,
• masking tape,
• acrylic paints,
• two-step craquelure pair Maimeri,
• oil paint or antique paste,
• stencil,
• spray paint,
• glassy varnish.

I found this old box that I was already tired of and fit my idea perfectly.

Unscrew the fittings.

We remove the corners (this is surprisingly quick and easy, the corners are nailed with tiny nails).

This is such a big pile of iron.

The box is ready for decoration.

Sanding old varnish and paint. For this I used my husband’s files - a surprisingly convenient thing.

The preparation process is complete.

We prime the surface. My soil was too thick, so I diluted it with water.

In order for the malachite insert to appear real and voluminous, we make a cut separating the wooden top from the “malachite” bottom. I sawed with a metal blade, and then widened the groove with a file.

This is how the cut turned out.

Let's prime again.

After drying, carefully sand all surfaces, round the edges, and sand the walls.

Freedecor decoupage transfer card. Easy to use, thin, bright, fits perfectly, and the surface is smooth, ready for final varnishing.

We lower the desired fragment into warm water, it activates the adhesive layer between the picture and the base.

Remove excess water. When the adhesive layer is activated, the picture can be easily removed from the base, just move it with your fingers and transfer it to the primed base. There is no need to use additional glue. Remove any bubbles with a small spatula or sponge.

Cover the surface with any varnish.

We use masking tape to separate the top of the box from the bottom, which we will transform into malachite. First, we make a background of a soft turquoise color and dry it.

On the palette we prepare green paint in three different shades. In order to calmly “play” with the paint, stir it, make stains and transitions and not be afraid that it will dry out prematurely, we will add an acrylic retarder to each one.

We apply paint of different colors with a brush in a chaotic manner on the edge of the box.

Error! Spare the paint! I put in too much paint and the design ended up being too voluminous and had to be thinned out with an emery block.

Using a piece of corrugated cardboard we make picturesque stripes.

Error! More imagination! My stripes are too even, this doesn’t happen with malachite, look on the Internet for a photo of this stone, its stripes are wavy, round, ornate.

While the bottom of the box dries, cover the edges of the lid that are free from the pasted motif with black and brown paint.

Dried strips, not yet at all like stone.

We dilute dark green paint and glaze the surface, comparing the color. I thinned the paint with a transparent medium.

We paint on the outer flowers and leaves to combine the picture with the background. Do you think there is no difference? And here it is, I specially highlighted the underdrawing with circles, it shouldn’t be too visible.

Cover the lid with at least 3 layers of varnish.

Remove the masking tape and tint the remaining colorless wood with black and brown paint. We cover the “tree” with the first step of a two-step Maimeri craquelure pair.

When the first layer dries to a “tack-free” state - it sticks a little, but leaves no trace - apply the second step.

As it dries, cracks appear that are barely noticeable without grouting, but they can still be clearly seen. The process can be speeded up with a hairdryer.

We rub the cracks with oil paint or, as in my case, with antique paste. It rubs in perfectly and the result is pleasing.

This is what happened.

After drying, I washed off the top layer, as many decoupage artists recommend. But some people don't wash it off. After rinsing, be careful, the bottom layer is still sticky! Dry and immediately coat with a protective layer of varnish.

Let's do the bottom. The stripes turned out to be very even and “high”; I decided to move away from the technology and remove some of the paint with an emery block. It got much better!

We're filming more and glazing. We fix the lid to the base with tape.

We fill the stencil.

Result.

We sand and varnish 2-3 layers, sand and varnish.

The process is endless. We sand and varnish. It took me two days to do this. I did the last two layers with glassy varnish for extra shine. You can use it to make all layers, but it’s more economical, it’s one of the most expensive specials. varnishes for decoupage

Error! Be patient! It is important to wait until the varnish is completely dry, otherwise when sanding it will crumble and peel off like a rubber film. To correct it, you will have to wait until it dries completely and then sand and varnish again.

We return the fittings to their place.

Let's use a new beautiful thing!

Imitation of malachite stone. Master class on decoupage.

I am glad to welcome you! The second mini lesson from the mini course "Imitation of a stone surface."

I invite you to a malachite fairy tale!

I present to your attention part of the mini lesson.

There is a dream and there is a great desire to create

and create miracles with your own hands.

The craftswomen have prepared thoroughly, everything should be at hand.

Necessary materials:

• Preparing a cutting board (you can choose a box, jar, etc.)
• Acrylic paints: white, black, green paint in 3 shades.
• Water in a glass.
• Drying retardant for acrylic paint.
• Brushes, sponge or foam rubber, cardboard, sheets of paper.
• Acrylic lacquer.
• Sandpaper No. 400, 800, 2000.
• Decoupage card with motif.
• Great mood and desire to create.

The needlewomen took care of the household chores, fed the children and husband, cleaned the house and began working on magic. I am sure that you have also prepared everything and we will begin to work miracles. We will make a key holder from a simple plywood blank.

Let's first prepare the workpiece for work. Do you remember how a tree needs to be prepared for work? Well done!!!

Gently mix white and green paint with a palette knife. This is the base layer of our background.

With light movements using foam rubber, cover the entire workpiece with a thin layer. Let it dry, sand it with sandpaper and varnish it.

Let's prepare a darker green paint and plastic bag. Paint was applied to the surface with strokes and pressed once with a crumpled bag.

We also apply paint to the already prepared spots using strokes.

This is the result our needlewoman got. If you like it, then fix it with varnish.

Take a small cardboard and tear off the edge. Now the main thing is to work smoothly and quickly. Mix paints with a drying retardant. It turned out 4 colors.

Apply strokes, alternating light and dark tones of green. We apply the uneven side of the cardboard to the edge, lightly pressing only the bottom, and draw a semicircle in one direction.

This is what should happen in the end. You are satisfied with the result, then fix it with varnish.

After complete drying, apply a highly diluted mixture of light green and black. In some places, wipe off the paint with a napkin so that the main design clearly appears.

All that remains is to glue a small blank with an image, attach a hook, and decorate it with stickers or outlines.

The craftswoman made a wonderful stone. And you will be able to imitate malachite. The main thing is the desire to create and you will get your own unique pattern.

Who liked this tale about malachite, I invite you to subscribe to

Course “Imitation of a stone surface” 8 mini-lessons.

You will learn about the intricacies and secrets of various stone imitation techniques using simple and affordable materials.

Let's create unique decorative items together.