When was azurite discovered

Though its stunning azure blue hue makes gem-quality specimens extremely popular amongst collectors, azurite is not commonly used for adornment. With a Mohs hardness of 3. This softness has, on the other hand, largely contributed to azurite's most well-known historical use — as a brilliant pigment, prized by painters.

Though its original discovered use was in Egypt, as a pigment and dye for textiles, azurite was also commonly used in the east, and its blue tones can still be seen in the cave paintings at Tun Huang in Western China, as well as in wall paintings in Central China which date back to the Ming and Sung Dynasties. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance period, azurite was prized among European painters. It was used first in tempura and fresco painting, and later in oil. To make azurite pigment, masses of the mineral were collected and ground into powder, which was then washed, and run through a sieve.

The grains of ground azurite were separated by size — the heavier, coarse grounds created a dark blue pigment, while the finer grounds were used to create lighter shades. No matter the grain, several coats of azurite pigment were required to create a solid blue color — however, the layering of coat after coat of fine azurite fragments eventually formed a crystalline crust with deep blue hue, and a subtle sparkle. The effect was a rich, beautiful, and brilliant blue, with incredible depth — hence it's popularity.

As mentioned above, Azurite, over long periods of time, can alter to greener hues as a natural change based on the copper in the mineral. If you handle any acid, the malachite will react to the acid on contact.

The price you pay for azurite can range wildly. A relatively pure, large azurite in raw form could cost you thousands of dollars. You should be able to simpy dissolve a small piece of the material in some hot water if it is chalcanthite, whereas azurite would not dissolve at all.

This mineral is a secondary copper mineral frequently found in the oxidized zones of copper bearing ore deposits around the world. Azurite is found in over 40 forms of blue colored ore. These include tubular prismatic crystals that form small roses of a deep beautiful azure blue color.

Malachite and azurite are two copper carbonates that are minor ore minerals. Azurite, as its name might suggest, is the blue one, which obviously leaves malachite as the green one. These are secondary minerals, meaning that they formed by alteration of the original copper ore minerals. Ultramarine is a deep blue color pigment which was originally made by grinding lapis lazuli into a powder.

Ultramarine was the finest and most expensive blue used by Renaissance painters. Pyrite is composed of iron and sulfur ; however, the mineral does not serve as an important source of either of these elements. Iron is typically obtained from oxide ores such as hematite and magnetite.

Azurite is a soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits. The blue of azurite is exceptionally deep and clear. Specimens tend to lighten in color over time due to weathering of the specimen surface into malachite ; this is why they are found together. Azurite's distinctive, intense blue color makes it a popular collector's stone. Since azurites have such low hardness 3. This combination of factors makes faceted azurites very rare.

Azurite is a rare variety of gemstone-quality copper ore. Azurite is one of two basic copper carbonate minerals malachite is the other. Azurite is rarer than malachite and is considered more valuable. These minerals are often found in the same deposit and are often intergrown with one another.

This produces a material known as azurmalachite , which, when of high quality, can be used as a beautiful lapidary material. More important deposits have been found in France and Namibia. Azurite Nodules in Sandstone: Small azurite nodules about one centimeter in size in a matrix of fine-grained sandstone. From the Nacimiento Mine, New Mexico. The most diagnostic property of azurite is it distinctive deep blue color. It is also soft with a Mohs hardness of only 3.

It contains copper, which gives its blue color and a specific gravity of 3. Azurite is a carbonate mineral and produces a slight effervescence with dilute hydrochloric acid , producing a light blue liquid.

Azurite produces a light blue streak on unglazed porcelain. While azurite is not an extremely abundant mineral and is rarely found in large deposits, it has been used in a number of ways. Some of these are explained below. Azurite "Blueberries": Small nodules of azurite, between five and ten millimeters across, that weathered out of a poorly-cemented sandstone near La Sal, Utah.

Geologists know that abundant azurite is often found in the rocks above deposits of copper ore. That enables them to use azurite as an indicator mineral in the search for subsurface copper deposits.

The presence of abundant azurite indicates the possibility of finding some form of copper ore below, nearby, or up a contemporary or ancient hydraulic gradient. Azurite has been used as an ore of copper metal for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians mined it on the Sinai Peninsula and smelted it to produce copper. Today, azurite deposits on their own are usually not large enough to be worth opening a copper mine.

Where other copper ores are mined, azurite might be removed if it is of adequate grade and easy to mine. Azurmalachite Cabochons: Azurite is frequently associated with malachite, and that association can produce very interesting gem materials.

These cabochons were cut from a material known as "azurmalachite" produced at the Morenci Mine in Arizona. They were cut from thin vein material and have a natural wall-rock backing.

Both cabs are about 25 millimeters tall. It performs well as a lapidary material and gemstone. Photographed dry. This piece is about ten centimeters across, and the largest orb is about on centimeters across. The best way to learn about minerals is to study with a collection of small specimens that you can handle, examine, and observe their properties.

Inexpensive mineral collections are available in the Geology. Azurite is easy to cut and shape into cabochons , beads, small carvings, and ornaments. It also accepts a bright polish. Unfortunately, azurite has problems that limit its use in jewelry. The greatest concern is the fact that azurite has a Mohs hardness of just 3. It also is brittle and can break along cleavage planes.

This lack of durability makes it easily damaged if used in a ring, bracelet, or other jewelry item that is subject to abrasion. Azurite also slowly weathers to malachite. This results in a lightening and greening of the gemstone's deep blue color. Store azurite jewelry in darkness, away from heat, and where air circulation is limited.

This might be in a closed jewelry box or drawer. Azurite jewelry is difficult to clean. A gentle cleaning with a soft damp cloth or with cool soapy water is best. Abrasive cleaners or excessive cleaning will damage the stone. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning can cause damage. If jewelry containing azurite needs repairs, the repairs should be done in a way that does not heat the stone.