I also get many from lockpicking overland treasure chests.
"Bah... This is not the way... "
PC EU Tempora Jof, Daggerfall Covenant, Breton, Sorcerer, Vampire: "Being good is hard..."
Jurfi da Nord, Aldmeri Dominion, Nord,Warden, Vampire: "Serving my own needs is easy."
Randal the Second, Ebonheart Pact, Dark Elf, Dragonknight: "I refuse to feel the ex-slaver guilt I have."
Inos sal'Ma'Nefic, Aldmeri Dominion, Imperial, Templar: "Heals by accident count, eh? Eh?"
Desdenada Jof, Ebonheart Pact, High Elf, Sorcerer: "Righteousness is its own edict."
Joffi da Rat, Aldmeri Dominion, Wood Elf, Nightblade: "Bah, this is not the way..."
Indigo sal'Ma'Nefic, Daggerfall Covenant, Redguard, Dragonknight: "For glory!"
Honestly at this point it's just easier to buy the full stone. I think 1 full malachite only costs several hundred gold now, on na pc at least.
I agree. With farming them being so inconsistant and unreliable it's much easier to just buy them from a guild trader. I assure you that making the gold is easier than making one Malachite.