Small Azurite Crystal + Display Case

Source: Touissit (Beker mining district), Jerada Province, Oriental Region, Morocco

Additional information

Azurite is a striking blue copper carbonate mineral. Known for its deep, rich color, azurite forms in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits and has been used historically as a pigment.  Originally named from the ancient Persian place ‘lazhward,’ famous for deep blue stones. Its name was changed to azurite in 1824 by François Sulpice Beudant a geologist.

Physical

• Category: Crystal/Mineral

• Chemical Formula: Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

• Hardness: 3.5 - 4 on the Mohs scale

• Colour: Azure blue, dark blue

• Lustre: Vitreous

• Transparency: Transparent to translucent

• Crystal System: Monoclinic

• Cleavage: Perfect

• Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven

Interesting Facts

• Azurite was historically used as a blue pigment in paints and dyes.

• It often forms in association with malachite, leading to the formation of "Azurmalachite."

• Azurite is being recognized as a major source of the blues used by medieval painters. 

• Azurite was also one of the stones believed to have been used in the lost, mythical city of Atlantis

• Originally named from the ancient Persian place ‘lazhward,’ famous for deep blue stones. Its name was changed to azurite in 1824 by François Sulpice Beudant a French mineralogist and geologist.