Azurite
Image: Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameAzurite
Chemical FormulaCu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorlight blue
Cleavagegood on {011}, fair on {100}
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.8
Colorsdark blue, azure blue, light blue, green
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityChessy les mines, Rhône, France
Mineral Groupcarbonates
Usescopper ore, pigment, collector, jewelry
Associated Mineralsmalachite, cuprite, native copper, goethite, limonite
Raritycommon
Description
This specimen features a cluster of deep azure to dark blue azurite crystals, exhibiting a blocky to prismatic habit, with some areas showing greenish alteration or associated malachite.
Geological Context
Azurite is a secondary copper mineral that forms in the oxidized zone of copper ore deposits, typically in arid or semi-arid environments where copper sulfides are exposed to weathering.
