Mineral description : Azurite

Azurite from Bastnäs, Riddarhyttan.

Dark blue azurite with malakite from Viscaria.

Mineral class	Carbonates : Cerussite - malachite - hydrozinkite group
Chemical formula	Cu3(OH/CO3)2
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Habitus	As tabular or short prismatic crystals or as radiating aggregates. Also forming massive and earthy crusts
Cleavage	Perfect, fracture conchoidal.
Hardness	3.5-4
Density	3.77-3.83
Color	Blue, from deep blue crystals to somewhat lighter crusts.
Streak	Pale blue.
Luster	Vitreous to dull.
Description	This mineral is one of the first sources of copper ore, mined together with malachite for about 8000 years ago in Bulgaria. Heated in a fire it produces metallic copper.
Occurance	Forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidizing zone of copper deposits.
Associates	Malachite, various copper sulphides.
Notes	Soluble in hydrocloric acid forming bubbles. Fuses easily while turning black.
Locations	Relatively common in Sweden in sulphide mines. Riddarhyttan, Västmanland. (Bastnäs) As thin earthy coatings. Falu copper mine. In many manganeese mines in Värmland.

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