Mineralpedia Details for Azurite
Azurite
Named for the Persian word lazhward, meaning “blue,” for the mineral’s characteristic color. Azurite is a common mineral with thousands of localities. Some that produce excellent crystals include in France, Italy, Russia, Morocco, Namibia, the United States, Mexico, Australia, and China. Azurite forms in oxidized copper deposits that are associated with carbonate rocks and may, in some cases, be considered an ore of copper. Minerals associated with Azurite include malachite, chrysocolla, brochantite, antlerite, cuprite, cerussite, smithsonite, calcite, and dolomite.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/azurite.pdf
- Formula
- Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
- Crystal System
- Monoclinic
- Crystal Habit
- Tabular, Prismatic, Stalactitic
- Cleavage
- Perfect, Fair, None
- Luster
- Vitreous (Glassy)
- Color
- azure blue, blue, light blue, dark blue
- Streak
- light blue
- Class
- Monoclinic - Prismatic
- Fracture
- Brittle - Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 3.5-4
- WebMineral
- View Azurite
- Mindat
- View Azurite
Azurite from Mammoth mine, Tintic dist., Juab Co., Utah, United States
Gemmy dark blue Azurite crystals being partially replaced by Malachite.
Azurite from Morenci Mine, Greenlee Co., Arizona, United States
Deep blue platy Azurite crystals in rosette-like crystal composits to 1.5cm with good luster and contrasting well upon light green Malachite.
Azurite from La Sal, Wayne Co., Utah, United States
Dark blue rosette or crystal aggregate composed of 5mm crystals. Overall 4 x 3.5 x 2cm.
Azurite from Bou Azzer dist., Anti-Atlas, Morocco
Deep blue Azurite crystals to 3mm with green Malachite.
Azurite from Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, United States
Dark lustrous blue Azurite crystals to 5mm with green fuzzy balls of Malachite tucked away in the vuggy areas of red limonitic matrix.
Azurite from Mina Ojuela, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
Micro deep, bright blue crystals of Azurite covering face.
