Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Azurite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered
This page kindly sponsored by Mariusz Oleszczuk
Hide all sections | Show all sections

About AzuriteHide

Formula:
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Colour:
Azure blue, blue, light blue, or dark blue; light blue in transmitted light
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
3½ - 4
Specific Gravity:
3.77
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
From the ancient Persian lazhward, meaning "blue", in allusion to the color. Name changed to azurite in 1824 by François Sulpice Beudant.
A secondary copper mineral frequently found in the oxidized zones of Cu-bearing ore deposits.

Azurite is typically found as tabular to prismatic crystals of a deep "azure blue" color with splendent vitreous faces. There are over 45 well-known forms, and over 100 forms have been described. Azurite is often pseudomorphed to Malachite, and the two are very frequently found together.
Azurite may be confused with (the very rare) Mrázekite.

For discussion on type locality, see http://www.mindat.org/mesg-7-379912.html




Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:
447
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:447:3

IMA Classification of AzuriteHide

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

Classification of AzuriteHide

5.BA.05

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
B : Carbonates with additional anions, without H2O
A : With Cu, Co, Ni, Zn, Mg, Mn
Dana 7th ed.:
16.2.1.1
16a.2.1.1

16a : ANHYDROUS CARBONATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
2 : (AB)3(XO3)2Zq
11.2.2

11 : Carbonates
2 : Carbonates of Cu

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

SymbolSourceReference
AzuIMA–CNMNCWarr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
AzuWhitney & Evans (2010)Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371

Pronunciation of AzuriteHide

Pronunciation:
PlayRecorded byCountry
Jolyon RalphUnited Kingdom

Physical Properties of AzuriteHide

Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Azure blue, blue, light blue, or dark blue; light blue in transmitted light
Streak:
Light blue
Hardness:
3½ - 4 on Mohs scale
Hardness Data:
Measured
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Perfect
Perfect on {011}; on {100} fair; on {110} in traces.
Parting:
None
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
3.77 g/cm3 (Measured)    3.834 g/cm3 (Calculated)

Optical Data of AzuriteHide

Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.73 nβ = 1.758 nγ = 1.838
2V:
Measured: 68° , Calculated: 64°
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.108
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
r > v; strong
Optical Extinction:
X = b; Z ∧ c = –12°36′.
Pleochroism:
Visible
Comments:
Shades of blue.
Comments:
Absorption: Z > Y > X.

Chemistry of AzuriteHide

Mindat Formula:
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Element Weights:
Element% weight
Cu55.310 %
O37.136 %
C6.969 %
H0.585 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Chemical AnalysisHide

Oxide wt%:
 1
CO325.46 %
CuO69.08 %
H2O5.46 %
Total:100 %

Crystallography of AzuriteHide

Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Cell Parameters:
a = 5 Å, b = 5.84 Å, c = 10.35 Å
β = 92.33°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 0.856 : 1 : 1.772
Unit Cell V:
301.97 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:
2
Morphology:
Tabular {001}, less common {102} or {102}; prismatic [001] or [010]; sometimes equant or even rhombohedral; faces may be wavy with striations on {001} parallel to "a", on {100} parallel to "b." May also be massive, stalactic, or botryoidal.
Twinning:
Rare, across {101}, {102} or {001}.

Crystallographic forms of AzuriteHide

Crystal Atlas:
Image Loading
Click on an icon to view
Azurite no.1 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Azurite no.87 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Azurite no.157 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
Azurite no.301 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)
3d models and HTML5 code kindly provided by www.smorf.nl.

Toggle
Edge Lines | Miller Indices | Axes

Transparency
Opaque | Translucent | Transparent

View
Along a-axis | Along b-axis | Along c-axis | Start rotation | Stop rotation

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4
Show
Big Balls | Small Balls | Just Balls | Spacefill
Polyhedra Off | Si Polyhedra | All Polyhedra
Remove metal-metal sticks
Display Options
Black Background | White Background
Perspective On | Perspective Off
2D | Stereo | Red-Blue | Red-Cyan
View
CIF File    Best | x | y | z | a | b | c
Rotation
Stop | Start
Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow
IDSpeciesReferenceLinkYearLocalityPressure (GPa)Temp (K)
0008598AzuriteBelokoneva E L, Gubina Y K, Forsyth J B (2001) The charge density distribution and antiferromagnetic properties of azurite Cu3[CO3]2(OH)2 Physics and Chemistry of Minerals 28 498-50720010293
CIF Raw Data - click here to close

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.
Powder Diffraction Data:
d-spacingIntensity
5.15 Å(60)
5.08 Å(30)
3.67 Å(50)
3.52 Å(100)
2.54 Å(30)
2.51 Å(40)
2.29 Å(40)
2.22 Å(70)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):
Paragenetic ModeEarliest Age (Ga)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event<2.4
47a : [Near-surface hydration of prior minerals]
47c : [Carbonates, phosphates, borates, nitrates]
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere<0.6
53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins<0.4
Geological Setting:
Found largely in the oxidized portions of copper deposits, it is a secondary mineral formed by the action of carbonated water acting on copper-containing minerals, or from Cu-containing solutions, such as CuSO^4 or CuCl^2 reacting with limestones.

Type Occurrence of AzuriteHide

Synonyms of AzuriteHide

Other Language Names for AzuriteHide

Varieties of AzuriteHide

KupferblauAn impure azurite that leaves a silica skeleton when dissolved in acid.
ZincazuriteDiscovered and published by J.F. Auguste Breithaupt in the 1850s, but later discredited as a species. A zinc rich azurite.

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
8,935 photos of Azurite associated with MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2
921 photos of Azurite associated with QuartzSiO2
610 photos of Azurite associated with CerussitePbCO3
510 photos of Azurite associated with CalciteCaCO3
446 photos of Azurite associated with ChrysocollaCu2-xAlx(H2-xSi2O5)(OH)4 · nH2O, x < 1
343 photos of Azurite associated with OliveniteCu2(AsO4)(OH)
294 photos of Azurite associated with BaryteBaSO4
284 photos of Azurite associated with DolomiteCaMg(CO3)2
277 photos of Azurite associated with CupriteCu2O
227 photos of Azurite associated with GoethiteFe3+O(OH)

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

5.BA.10Mcguinnessite(Mg,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m
5.BA.10Zincrosasite(Zn,Cu)2(CO3)(OH)2Mon.
5.BA.10ParádsasváriteZn2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10Rosasite(Cu,Zn)2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10NullaginiteNi2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10Georgeite[Cu(OH)2-x(H2O)x][CO3]x/2Amor.
5.BA.10Glaukosphaerite(Cu,Ni)2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10PokrovskiteMg2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10KolweziteCuCo(CO3)(OH)2Tric.
5.BA.10ChukanoviteFe2+2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10MalachiteCu2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.10PerchiazziiteCo2(CO3)(OH)2Mon. 2/m : P21/b
5.BA.15Aurichalcite(Zn,Cu)5(CO3)2(OH)6Mon. 2/m : P21/m
5.BA.15HydrozinciteZn5(CO3)2(OH)6Mon. 2/m : B2/m
5.BA.20HoldawayiteMn6(CO3)2(OH)7(Cl,OH)Mon. 2/m : B2/m
5.BA.25UM1977-03-COSiO:CaClHCa10-11(CO3)7(SiO4)Cl1-2(OH)1-2Mon.
5.BA.25DeferniteCa6(CO3)1.58(Si2O7)0.21(OH)7[Cl0.50(OH)0.08(H2O)0.42]Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
5.BA.30SclariteZn7(CO3)2(OH)10Mon. 2/m : B2/b
5.BA.30Loseyite(Mn2+,Zn,Mg)4Zn3(CO3)2(OH)10Mon. 2/m

Fluorescence of AzuriteHide

Other InformationHide

Notes:
Soluble in dilute acids, ammonia, and hot concentrated solutions of NaHCO3. Slowly decomposed with removal of CO2 by boiling, but not by cold, water.
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Industrial Uses:
A very minor ore of copper.

Azurite in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

    Internet Links for AzuriteHide

    References for AzuriteHide

    Reference List:
    (1942) New mineral names, Errata. American Mineralogist, 27 (4) 333-334 (Palache and Lewis (1927) Errata: Crystallography of azurite from Tsumeb, Southwest Africa)

    Localities for AzuriteHide

    This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

    Locality ListShow

    This section is currently hidden. Click the show button to view.
     
    Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
    Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2025, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
    To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
    Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: December 4, 2025 05:31:32 Page updated: December 3, 2025 03:29:54
    Go to top of page