Name/Title
AzuriteEntry/Object ID
2009.62.113Description
Chemical Composition: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Crystal System: Monoclinic System
Description: Common Name: Azurite
Chemistry: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, Copper Carbonate Hydroxide
Group: Carbonates
Location: Arizona
Description: Deep blue azurite crystals on a tan,brown and green rocky matrix.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is azure, deep blue or pale blue if found in small crystals or crusts.
Luster is vitreous to dull depending on habit.
Transparency: Transparent if in thin crystals, otherwise translucent to opaque.
Crystal System is monoclinic; 2/m.
Crystal Habits crystals are irregular blades with wedge shaped terminations. Also, aggregate crusts and radiating, botryoidal, nodular and earthy masses.
Cleavage is good in one direction and fair in another.
Fracture is conchoidal and brittle.
Hardness is 3.5-4.
Specific Gravity is 3.7+ (heavier than average).
Streak is blue.
Associated Minerals are numerous and include malachite limonite, calcite, cerussite, quartz, chalcopyrite, native copper, cuprite, chrysocolla, aurichalcite, shattuckite, liroconite, connellite and other oxidized copper minerals.
Best Field Indicators are color, softness, crystal habits and associations.
Fracture: Conchoidal
Hardness: 4 Flourite
Luster: Vitreous
Occurrence: Azurite is a soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits.
Azurite is unstable in open air with respect to malachite, and often is pseudomorphically replaced by malachite. The weathering process effect of the replacement of some the carbon dioxide (CO2) units with water (H2O). This change in the carbonate/hydroxide ratio of azurite into the 1-to-1 ratio of malachite:
2 Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 + H2O ? 3 Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 + CO2
From the above equation the conversion of azurite into malachite is attributable to the low partial pressure of carbon dioxide in air. Azurite is also incompatible with aquatic media, such as salt-water aquariums.
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 3.7
Streak: blue
Variety: Azurite is a very popular mineral because of its unparalleled color, a deep blue called "azure", hence its name. Azure is derived from the arabic word for blue. The color is due to the presence of copper (a strong coloring agent), and the way the copper chemically combines with the carbonate groups (CO3) and hydroxyls (OH). Azurite has been used as a dye for paints and fabrics for eons. Unfortunately, at times its color is too deep and larger crystals can appear black. Small crystals and crusts show the lighter azure color well. Azurite is often associated with its colorful close cousin, malachite.Collection
RAGM Mineral CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2009.62Source or Donor
Museum Collection of MineralsAcquisition Method
DonationDimensions
Width
4 inDepth
3 inLength
5-1/2 inWeight
2.38 ozLocation
Location
Display Case
FS-4-BRoom
Frieda Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumDate
January 3, 2024Location
Container
CenterDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
Right, RightWall
South wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Steve MillerDate
January 26, 2010Location
Drawer
5th from the rightShelf
Far Right 2nd shelf, Far Right 2nd shelfWall
South wallRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
PermanentMoved By
Jacob RierDate
September 25, 2009Location
* Untyped Location
Needs Updated Location - 2022Category
PermanentMoved By
Jacob RierDate
September 25, 2009Location
Container
Right / RearDrawer
Top ShelfShelf
LeftCabinet
Case #31Wall
EastBuilding
Freida Smith HallCategory
Permanent