Image: <bdi><a href="https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q56247090" class="extiw" title="d:Q56247090"><span title="mineral collector and dealer">Robert M. Lavinsky</span></a></bdi> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
monocliniccommoncarbonates
Azurite-Malachite
Azurite: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, Malachite: Cu2(CO3)(OH)2
This specimen features deep azure blue azurite crystals intergrown with vibrant green, often fibrous or botryoidal, malachite.
Azurite-Malachite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
3.5Crystal System
monoclinicLuster
vitreousStreak Color
light blue (azurite), light green (malachite)Cleavage
good on {011} (azurite), perfect on {201} (malachite)Fracture
conchoidal to unevenSpecific Gravity
3.6Colors
blue, greenTransparency
translucent to opaqueType Locality
Seabra, Bahia, Northeast Region, BrazilMineral Group
carbonatesUses
ornamental stone, pigment, minor copper oreAssociated Minerals
cuprite, native copper, chrysocollaRarity
commonGeological Context
Azurite and malachite are secondary copper minerals that form in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits, typically in arid or semi-arid environments.
