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Name Origin | In allusion to the color, derived from the Persian word lazhward, meaning blue |
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Chemical Formula | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
Color | Light and dark azure blue |
Hardness | 3.5 - 4 on Mohs Scale |
Crystal System | Monoclinic. Crystals maybe large and perfect, tabular, prismatic; also massive, earthy, banded, stalactitic |
Cleavage | Perfect 1 direction. Fracture conchoidal. Brittle. |
Specific Gravity (SG) | 3.77 |
Pleochroism | Strong, in shades of blue |
Luster | Vitreous (crystals) to earthy or dull |
Stone sizes |
Faceted crystals are always tiny, and cut gems are all less than 1 carat. It is pointless to cut larger stones, as they would be so dark as to be opaque. Dark blue crystalline material is sometimes cabbed, and cabochons may be several inches across |
Occurrence | Secondary mineral in copper deposits |
Note: Azurite is the blue copper carbonate and is the sister mineral to malachite which is the green equivalent. It is renowned for its intense azure-blue color which has given it its name. Faceted azurite is a great rarity, but even small stones are extremely dark, virtually black. Burnite is a mixture of azurite and cuprite (copper oxide). Azurite occurs in fine crystals in many localities, but in massive form is almost always mixed with malachite. In this form it is cut as very attractive cabochons and large decorative items, such as boxes. Due to its softness and brittle nature it is not commonly used in jewellery making.
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