mineral

Azurite with Malachite

Azurite: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 / Malachite: Cu2CO3(OH)2

Hardness: 3.5-4 (Mohs); Color: Deep azure blue (azurite) and bright green (malachite); Luster: Vitreous to dull; Crystal System: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Fair to poor. This specimen shows a botryoidal or crust-like habit on a host matrix.

Hardness: 3
Color: Deep azure blue (azurite) and bright green (malachite)
Luster: Vitreous to dull

Identified March 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits. It occurs when carbonated waters descend into the earth and react with copper sulfides or through the weathering of primary copper minerals.

Uses & applications

Used primarily as a copper ore, a mineral pigment for artists, ornamental jewelry (cabochons), and highly prized as a collector's mineral specimen.

Geological facts

Azurite was used as a blue pigment in paintings from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, though it can sometimes turn green over centuries as it chemically alters into malachite. The two minerals are often found together because they have nearly identical chemical compositions.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by the distinct 'electric' blue color and associated green malachite staining near copper mines. Common locations include Bisbee (Arizona), Namibia, Morocco, and the Ural Mountains in Russia.

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