Consumer Information

What color is it?: Blue.

What is the story behind this gemstone?: A sister stone to malachite this beautiful blue gemstone is a form of oxidized copper. It rarely forms in transparent crystals as shown at top.

Can I wear it everyday?: Yes. Azurite is a long wearing stone in carved pieces and beads.

Is it expensive?:No. It is priced at about the same price level as malachite. Around $20.00 for a strand of beads or $50.00 for a pendant as seen above.

Is it a birthstone?: No.

What do I need to know before going shopping?: Not much. Azurite will give you a beautiful blue look at a much lower price than natural lapis lazuli. Of course, if you are shopping for lapis lazuli make sure you are not being sold azurite. Beyond that there is not much to worry about.

General Information

Beads of combination malachite and azurite strung with malachite and lapis lazuli beads

Source: Found in copper mines world wide

Chemical: Cu2(CO)3 OH2

Formation: Azurite forms from oxidation of copper ore deposits

Crystal System: Monoclinic

Unusual Properties: None

Gemological Information

RI: 1.720 - 1.383

Birefringence: .108

Optic Character: B+

Specific Gravity: 3.8 + -

Hardness: 4

Transparency: TP-Opaque

Special Identifying Properties and Tests: As shown in the photo above sometimes azurite and malachite grow together. This is the only mineral that will form with this color combination

Synthetics: None

Imitations: Various