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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 tabular Azurite crystals to 4mm with spherical, velvety green Malachite.
Two-generation Azurite over botryoidal Malachite. The little rosettes are 2mm.
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.
Azurite from Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Namibia

1. Easter Pocket on 8 level of the Tsumeb mine. There are two large tabular crystals, deep blue in color and mildly striated. The largest crystal is 3cm and the other prominent crystal is 2cm across.
2. Deep blue, striated and prismatic Azurite crystals with chisel terminations. The largest crystal is 2.3cm. Ex. FJ Barlow collection.
A lustrous twinned Azurite from the Easter pocket. This fantastic pocket was 2 meters long and 80cm with about a third of the pocket yielding quality Azurite specimens. A full description of the Azurites from this pocket can be read in the Tsumeb book by Georg Gebhard from which this specimen originated. The Azurites had several characteristics unique to this pocket. This specimen posses these same qualities - large tabular crystals displaying maximum faces.
Last two photos: Deep blue crystals to 2cm.
Azurite from Chessy-les-Mines, Le Bois d'Oingt, Rhone, Rhone-Alpes, France

Deep blue prismatix and tabular crystals of Azurite from this well-known European Azurite locality.
Azurite from Sterling Hill mine, Ogdensburg, Sussex Co., New Jersey, United States

Large granular mass with Magnetite and Azurite.
Azurite from Cobre mine, El Cobre, Concepción del Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico

Sharp, deep blue prismatic crystals of Azurite to 5mm.
Azurite from Metcalf mine, Greenlee Co., Arizona, United States
Aesthetic specimen of two-generation Azurite over botryoidal Malachite. The little rosettes are 2mm. Very nice specimen.
Also: Azurite is a deep blue with good sparkley luster. The Malachite occurs as tiny green beads in two generations.
Azurite from Apex mine, Washington Co., Utah, United States
Beautiful little 4-5mm deep blue rosettes of Azurite.
Azurite from Cap Garonne mine, Le Pradet, Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Beautiful lustrous rich blue Azurite crystals to 2mm with green Olivenite. Excellent specimen!