Azurite
Image: <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/people/35142635@N05">S. Rae</a> from Scotland, UK (CC BY 2.0)
Mineral NameAzurite
Chemical FormulaCu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Mohs Hardness3.5
Crystal Systemmonoclinic
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorlight blue
Cleavagegood in one direction, poor in another
Fractureconchoidal
Specific Gravity3.8
Colorsdeep blue, azure blue, dark blue
Transparencytranslucent
Type LocalityBisbee, Arizona, USA
Mineral Groupcarbonates
Usescollector, minor copper ore, pigment, jewelry
Associated Mineralsmalachite, chrysocolla, cuprite, native copper, limonite
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen is a large, botryoidal mass of deep blue azurite crystals, displaying a sparkling, granular texture and an overall dark, rich blue hue.
Geological Context
Azurite is a secondary copper carbonate mineral that forms in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits, typically resulting from the alteration of primary copper sulfides in the presence of carbon dioxide and water.
