Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/47445767@N05">James St. John</a> (CC BY 2.0)
monoclinicuncommonCarbonates
Azurite
Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
Azurite is a deep azure blue to violet-blue mineral, often found as botryoidal masses, stalactitic forms, or well-formed monoclinic crystals. In this image, it appears as a vibrant blue cementing material within a breccia.
Azurite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3.5Crystal System
monoclinicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
light blueCleavage
good on {011}, poor on {100}Fracture
conchoidalSpecific Gravity
3.8Colors
azure blue, deep blue, light blueTransparency
transparent to opaqueType Locality
Morenci Mine, Arizona, USA; Chessy, France; Tsumeb, Namibia; Bisbee, Arizona, USAMineral Group
CarbonatesUses
minor copper ore, pigment (historical), collector specimens, jewelryAssociated Minerals
malachite, cuprite, chrysocolla, native copper, limoniteRarity
uncommonGeological Context
Azurite is a secondary copper mineral that forms in the oxidized zone of copper ore deposits, typically in arid or semi-arid regions. It results from the alteration of primary copper sulfides in the presence of carbon dioxide and water.
