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Azurite

Big Photo

Arizona, USA
23.28 carats
© Palagems

Azurite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 

Azurite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Azurite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:1.90 cts
Heaviest:44.07 cts
Average:23.08 cts
Total photos:3
Do you have a larger Azurite? Why not upload a photo?
1.90ct to 6.12ct6.12ct to 10.33ct10.33ct to 14.55ct14.55ct to 18.77ct18.77ct to 22.99ct22.99ct to 27.20ct27.20ct to 31.42ct31.42ct to 35.64ct35.64ct to 39.85ct39.85ct to 44.07ct
General Information
Other Names/Trade Names:
Chemical Formula
Cu
 
3
(OH)
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
 
2
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Azurite Treatments
May be coated with colorless wax - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 3
Physical Properties of Azurite
Mohs Hardness3.5 to 4
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Specific Gravity3.70 to 3.90
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Cleavage QualityPerfect
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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FractureConchoidal
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Azurite
Refractive Index1.730 to 1.838
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Optical CharacterBiaxial/+
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.108 to 0.110
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010) DoublingMore from other references
PleochroismDistinct: dark-blue - light blue
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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DispersionVisible
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Colour
Colour (General)Blue
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Causes of ColourBlue, Cu2+ in elongated octahedral coordination
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyTranslucent,Opaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Crystallography of Azurite
Crystal SystemMonoclinic
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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HabitCrystals of varied habit, often in spherical radiating groups. It is common in botryoidal or stalagmitic groups and
massive in veins with malachite.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
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Geological Environment
Where found:Azurite is found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits and is very often intimately associated with malachite to the extent that the name azur-malachite has been used.
Michael O’Donoghue, Gems, Sixth Edition (2006)
Inclusions in Azurite
Common as banded aggregate in wavy pattern: often intergrown with malachite - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 3
Further Information
Mineral information:Azurite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
France
 
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
    • Rhône
      • Villefranche-sur-Saône
        • Chessy
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 386
Namibia
 
  • Oshikoto Region
    • Tsumeb
Gems, Sixth Edition, Michael O’Donoghue, 2006, p. 386
Ref 02 updated
USA
 
  • Arizona
    • Cochise County
No reference listed
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