Mineral · Malachite group
Azurite
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Azurite is the deep blue copper carbonate of Bisbee, Tsumeb, Chessy (France), Morocco (Touissit, Kerrouchen) and Milpillas (Mexico), whose crystals are among the most beautiful of all minerals. Azurite 'suns' from Australia and rosettes from Morocco are affordable; Milpillas crystals are expensive. It alters to malachite, so specimens often show green replacing blue.
| Formula | Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 |
|---|---|
| IMA status | grandfathered |
| Crystal system | Monoclinic |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5–4 |
| Group | Malachite group |
| Type locality | None (known since antiquity) |
| Streak | Light blue |
| Specific gravity | 3.8 |
| Reference list | IMA List of Minerals (RRUFF) — verify formula and status against the current list |
Fakes and treatments
Moroccan azurite 'on matrix' is sometimes glued; Chinese specimens have been enhanced with blue paint. Azurite fades under strong light.
Elsewhere
Cite this article
Stratum Strata. "Azurite" (Mineral). Stratum Strata pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21. https://stratum.black/strata/minerals/azurite. Accessed 2026-09-21.
@misc{stratum-azurite,
title = {Azurite},
author = {{Stratum Strata}},
howpublished = {\url{https://stratum.black/strata/minerals/azurite}},
year = {2026},
note = {Mineral article, Stratum Strata pack 2026.09, as of 2026-09-21; sources: stratum, wikidata, commons. Accessed 2026-09-21.}
} Citations carry the pack version and the article's as-of date so they resolve to the same text later. The facts themselves belong to the sources listed below; cite those for the science.