Properties of Azurite

Mineralogy

• Azurite is a copper carbonate mineral. Its color ranges from medium to very dark blue, and it has a vitreous, or glassy, appearance. Azurite produces a light blue streak when scraped across a mineral streak plate. Its hardness ranges from 3.5 to 4, which puts it between calcite and fluorite on the Mohs Hardness Scale.

  Azurite has been found in many different forms. In its crystal form, it often takes a prism or tabular shape, and the crystal faces often have striations or grooves. Azurite may also take the form of thin needles, appear fibrous, or even be found in non-crystalline clumps. Its beautiful blue color and its variable appearance make it attractive to rock collectors.

  Azurite is found throughout the world where there are deposits of copper. It is closely associated with the green mineral malachite, another copper ore, and the two minerals are often found together. Their chemical composition is very similar.

Pigments

• One of the properties of azurite is its deep blue color. For centuries, the soft mineral has been ground up into powder form and used as a pigment for paint. In Europe in the Middle Ages, azurite was popular as a blue pigment. The mineral was also used extensively in China, as well as Japan and Egypt.

  Azurite was made into pigment simply by grinding it, washing it, and sieving out any other pieces of rock. Coarsely ground azurite produces a dark blue pigment, but grinding it into a fine powder produces a lighter hue. Over the centuries, the azurite that was used in some medieval paintings has slowly oxidized into a dark green color.

Collecting and Jewelry

• Because of azurite's beauty, it is collected for its own sake. Rock collectors and geologists may put the mineral in a display case or just set it on a shelf in the home.

  Azurite is also cut and polished into jewelry, especially into beads. The mineral is fairly soft, which allows it to be fairly easily shaped and polished. The polished azurite may be tumbled into bead shape and drilled with a hole so that the beads can be strung on a necklace. Larger pieces of azurite are often treated as pendants.

  Because azurite and malachite are so similar, a single specimen may include both minerals. These specimens display both blue and green colors and are excellent choices for pendant jewelry.

Metaphysical Properties

• Some people believe that crystals have healing properties. The color blue represents communication. People who are learning how to meditate can hold an azurite crystal, which is believed to help them learn how to relax and let go of old habits of thinking. Azurite is associated with the fifth and sixth chakras, which correspond to the heart and spine, respectively. Holding or rubbing the stone is also thought to help calm the emotions and reduce depression and anxiety.