Ring

Malachite is a vivid green mineral of copper carbonate. When polished, the light and dark green banding gives it a very attractive and distinctive appearance. It is often made into beads but larger pieces such as bowls or carved figures can also be made. Copper carbonate is a corrosion product of copper and as such, malachite is found in large quantities in copper-mining areas.

This ring forms part of a collection of 154 gems bequeathed to the V&A by the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend, a cleric and poet. Sir A. H. Church gave additional specimens in 1913. He also compiled the first catalogue Precious Stones: A Guide to the Townshend Collection. The first edition appeared in 1883. The stones are mounted as rings, although they may not have been intended to be worn.