Azurite, whose English name is Azurite, comes from the word Azure, which means “青”. Azurite is also called azurite in China, which is the name of a blue pigment.
Azurite is a water-containing copper carbonate mineral and belongs to the monoclinic crystal system. The crystals are in the form of short column, column or thick plate, mostly crust, radial, and crystal clusters and aggregates, with glassy luster Or dull, transparent to opaque, hardness 3.4-4.0. Its color is light blue to dark blue, streaks, and light blue.
Azurite is a common and common mineral. Although it has low hardness, poor toughness, can be corroded by acid and is easy to melt, it is regarded as a gem because of its beautiful color. Transparent crystals are like sapphires and are often processed. Cut into faceted gems; opaque crystals can be cut into curved gems. 一般的に, it is mainly used as decoration materials or carving crafts. The well-shaped crystal clusters are ideal ornamental stones. Azurite and lapis lazuli are quite similar. The difference between the two is that azurite has high birefringence and lower hardness, while lapis lazuli has a smaller specific gravity, so it is not difficult to distinguish each other.
Azurite is a secondary mineral formed after the primary copper-bearing minerals are oxidized. It is produced in the oxidation zone of copper-bearing sulfide deposits and is often symbiotic with malachite. The world’s important azurite ore is Chessy, フランス, and the azurite produced there is called “Chessylite”. Arizona and New Mexico in the United States produce gem-grade azurite crystals, but due to the exhaustion of mining for years, the azurite produced in Arizona closely coexists with malachite and is called “blue malachite” (Azurmalachite). ロシア, Italy, Greece and Namibia produce high-quality azurite crystals. The Shilu Copper Mine in Yangchun, Guangdong Province, China is famous for its exquisite blue copper crystal cluster ornamental stones. 加えて, countries such as Mexico, Chile, オーストラリア, the United Kingdom and Congo also produce azurite.