azurite
azurite crystals on oxidized malachite crystal from Morocco
azurite and malachite from France
azurite crystal from Tsumeb in Namibia
Detailed sheet
azurite
Discovered in 1824 by Beudant Chessy-les-Mines in France, azurite takes its name from its azure blue.
It has been known since antiquity, it is a copper carbonate, which effervesces with acids. It is often associated with malachite, green, in copper deposits, as azurite turns into malachite: some crystals half-azurite, half malachite are observed.
It has been used as a pigment in paint until the nineteenth century, the blue paint was made of azurite and not from lapis lazuli hard to find and very expensive.
The Eilat stone is a mixture of malachite, chrysocolla, azurite and turquoise.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Cu3[CO3]2(OH)2
basic copper carbonate
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Main color
blue
deep blue used for pigments
Color of streak
blue
Luster
adamantine, vitreous
Hardness
3.5 to 4.0
Density
3.70 to 3.90
Cleavage
indistinct
Fracture
conchoidal
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
Transparency
translucent, transparent
only some small crystals are transparent
Refractive index
1.720 - 1.850
Double refraction
0.108
strong biaxial (+)
visible double refraction
No
Dispersion
-
Pleochroism
definite
Number of colors
2
light blue, dark blue
Absorption spectrum
500
azurite spectrum system
Fluorescence
none
CRYSTALS PROPERTIES
prismatic, tabular or in crystal aggregates in balls shape
crystals system
monoclinic
OTHER INFORMATIONS
Astrological sign
Aries, Pisces
APPROACHING GEMS
Exploited
sites
We recall the well-known deposit of Chessy, near Lyon, now exhausted, it delivered magnificent specimens and gave a derived name : the “chessylite”.
It is found mainly in Australia (Queesland), Chile, United States States (Arizona, New Mexico), Romania, Peru, Canada, Morocco, Mexico, Namibia, Russia (Siberia, Urals) … and since shortly China provides fine specimens similar to “chessylite balls”.
use in jewelry
It was not only used in jewelry, but as dye-based paints in blue. Being fragile, it is barely used other than to shape objects of art, although we find some cabochons or faceted stones of a very nice shine. The azurite is sensitive to heat, which reduces its use.
Daily care
and precautions
avoid all contacts with acids, lemon, fruits, vinegar
imitations and
treatments
As it is fragile, it can be “consolidated” with resins to prevent it from breaking. These treatments must always be reported because they are not natural, nor reversible.
Historical
healing properties
The use of large single crystals would be preferable to aggregates of microcrystals as more powerful, to open the door of the Divine Spirit. With the third eye, it would increase the sense faculties, and activate the mind, and on the top chakra, it would lead the great astral travel.
Its crystals, considered very powerful, would be used with caution, and together with the obsidian and schorl at the feet arches and the base chakra.
Other
Gems
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notre site web
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