Azurite is a secondary copper mineral. It is a search sign of copper deposits, while it is itself used as copper ore. Known since ancient times. Its name is translated from Arabic as "blue". Served as a blue pigment for the manufacture of paints. Due to its rich blue color, azurite is one of the most beloved collectible minerals.
You can see azurite stone for sale and buy it in the Minerals of Russia online store.
General | |
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Category | Carbonate mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) |
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
IMA symbol | Azu |
Strunz classification | 5.BA.05 |
Crystal system | Monoclinic |
Crystal class | Prismatic (2/m) (same H-M symbol) |
Space group | P21/c |
Unit cell | a = 5.01 Å, b = 5.85 Å c = 10.35 Å; β = 92.43°; Z = 2 |
Identification | |
Formula mass | 344.67 g/mol |
Color | Azure-blue, dark to pale blue; pale blue in transmitted light |
Crystal habit | Massive, prismatic, stalactitic, tabular |
Twinning | Rare, twin planes {101}, {102} or {001} |
Cleavage | Perfect on {011}, fair on {100}, poor on {110} |
Fracture | Conchoidal |
Tenacity | brittle |
Mohs scale hardness | 3.5 to 4 |
Luster | Vitreous |
Streak | Light blue |
Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
Specific gravity | 3.773 (measured), 3.78 (calculated) |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.730 nβ = 1.758 nγ = 1.838 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.108 |
Pleochroism | Visible shades of blue |
2V angle | Measured: 68°, calculated: 64° |
Dispersion | relatively weak |