Azurite
Species
Uncommon · Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
A secondary copper carbonate forming where oxidised copper deposits meet carbonate rock. Its vivid blue slowly converts to malachite when exposed to water over time. Often found alongside malachite in banded formations.
Identity
- Formula
- Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Chemical class
- Carbonate
- Also known as
- Chessylite, Mountain blue (archaic)
- Ore of
- Copper
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Habits
- Prismatic, Tabular, Massive, Botryoidal
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 3.77 g/cm³
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Colors
- blue, dark blue, sky blue
- Streak
- light blue
- Transparency
- Transparent, Translucent, Opaque
Geology
- Origins
- Sedimentary, Hydrothermal
- Host rocks
- Limestone and chalk
- Associated minerals
- Malachite, Chrysocolla, Cuprite, Cerussite, Calcite
- Found in
- Oxidized zone (gossan)
- Geography
- Morocco, USA (Arizona), Namibia, Australia, France
Classification
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Gem quality
- Yes
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- Water, Arcane
- Effects
- Scrying
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- Azurite. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Azurite. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
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