Azurite stone - varieties, properties, who suits, price and jewelry with stone

The azurite stone, which got its name from the French word azur, meaning "azure", wears it for a reason. This was the only way to call a sky-blue mineral endowed with a beautiful glassy luster and amazingly smooth edges.

Azurite is a mineral endowed with a number of unique properties: first of all, the ability to boil in hydrochloric acid, and also the ability to turn into malachite (very valuable mineral of bright green color).

Azurite stone - origin story

Over the centuries, azurite has changed its name more than once. In France, it is still called chessilite (in honor of the town of Chessy, in the vicinity of which these beautiful gems were mined for a long time).

The stone got its current name in 1824 thanks to the French mineralogist François Beudan. Many synonymous names for the mineral have survived to this day. Before stone is constantly confused with lapis lazuli, as evidenced by the works of Aristotle, who did not find any differences between minerals.

It is known to some as "copper blue", "mountain blue", "copper blue" or "copper lapis".

Since ancient times, azurite has been used by Irish shamans and Egyptian priests as a material used to make magical amulets and religious objects.

European painters, who created their canvases in the XNUMXth-XNUMXth centuries, widely used bright blue paint made from azurite, ground into powder. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is painted with the same paint.

physical properties

Azurite, striking with a variety of rich shades of sky-blue color, is a natural mineral, a subspecies of copper ore. Its crystals have smooth edges and a characteristic vitreous luster.

The deposits of this mineral are concentrated in the places of occurrence of copper and polymetallic ores, the oxidation of which leads to the formation of columnar azurite crystals, which can eventually transform into precious malachite.

• The chemical composition of azurite, as can be seen from its chemical formula - Cu3 (CO3) 2 (OH) 2 - includes copper carbonate and hydroxide anions.
• The rich blue color of the mineral is due to the high (at least 55%) copper content.
• The mineral is quite brittle. The range of its hardness on the Mohs scale is 3,5-4 units, and the density - - 3,8 g / cm³.
• Azurite has a conchoidal fracture and perfect cleavage.

Mineral deposits

The richest deposits of azurite are in:

• USA;
• Chile;
• Mexico;
• Australia
• Germany;
• France;
• Kazakhstan.

The largest and highest quality azurites are mined in small deposits of South and North Africa, located in:

• Namibia;
• Morocco;
• Zambia;
• Zaire.

In Russia, the supplier of unusual types of azurite is the Gumeshevsky copper mine, located in the South Urals.

Varieties and colors

How is it different from lapis lazuli?

People who do not understand mineralogy often confuse azurite with other deep blue minerals, most often with lapis lazuli.

You can distinguish these outwardly similar stones by a number of signs:

1. The color of azurite is richer and deeper. The bright color of lapis lazuli is accentuated by golden inclusions of pyrite, sparkling in the sun.
2. Lapis lazuli is a harder stone. A copper coin will not scratch its surface, while azurite can be easily scratched with both a coin and a knife.
3. On the rough surface of a white porcelain plate, lapis lazuli, grinding down, leaves a bright blue line, azurite - a sky-blue line.

Medicinal properties

Since the energy of azurite is quite strong, lithotherapists do not recommend wearing it continuously for a whole month. After three days of wearing, the jewelry with a stone should be removed and a two-week break should be taken.

The healing properties of azurite allow it to be used for:

• Improving the composition of the blood and cleansing it of impurities.
• Lowering blood pressure.
• Relieve emotional stress.
• Acceleration of the process of fusion of broken bones and healing of soft tissues.
• Treatment of hysteria and epilepsy.
• Therapy for bronchial asthma.
• Treatment of skin diseases (including psoriasis and eczema).
• Improving vision and correcting some eye pathologies.
• Alleviate pain associated with arthritis and joint diseases.
• Treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, spleen, liver, bladder.
• Improving the state of the endocrine system.
• Eliminate dizziness, relieve headaches, treat migraines.
• Normalization of the state of the nervous system, as a result of which insomnia disappears in the patient, the feeling of unreasonable anxiety, depression and depression disappear.

The essence of therapeutic sessions is extremely simple: during the procedure, pieces of the mineral are applied to the problem area of ​​the body and left for several minutes. To enhance the therapeutic effect, lithotherapists recommend using azurite twice a day for meditation.

The magical properties of azurite

In terms of energy, azurite is a model of the manifestation of the female Yin energy. Faced with the impact of negative energy and passing it through itself, the gem makes this energy positive.

The magical properties of azurite were already known to the priests of ancient Egypt, who used it as an intermediary during sessions of communication with the gods.

Azurmalachite, combining the energy of two minerals at once, is endowed with a double strength. Malachite, which is part of it, frees the human body from negative emotions, while azurite normalizes energy flows, reflecting the impact of negative energy.

During meditation, putting azurite on the crown chakra, they get rid of the hardships and anxieties that are the culprits of strong inner experiences, ultimately finding complete harmony with both the inner and outer worlds.

A person facing a difficult choice of the future path and not knowing in which direction to go can put on an azurite jewelry and wait for a hint.

The stone will certainly indicate the right path, helping either to avoid serious problems, or to solve them in the most optimal way.

Mediums and psychics highly value azurite balls, which help them in conducting meditations and spiritualistic sessions, during which the gem plays the role of an intermediary between the consciousness of its owner and his subconscious.

The rich blue color of azurite crystals stimulates the work of the crown chakra (the so-called "third eye"), which contributes to the development of logical, conceptual and tactical thinking, so the impact of jewelry from this stone is beneficial for lawyers, judges and lawyers.

If the owner of azurite behaves immorally, allowing himself to commit evil deeds, the stone stops giving him its positive energy and may close, and in some cases even split.

Talismans and charms

Azurite belongs to the category of stones that play the role of guardians of all kinds of desires, prejudices, doubts and fears:

1. The constant wearing of a talisman with azurite will provide its owner with high spirits and facilitate communication with others, so it should be taken to a pre-employment interview, business negotiations or a meeting with an important client.
2. Azurite is an excellent amulet for those who seek to change their lives for the better.
3. An amulet with azurite, which contributes to the disclosure of intelligence, a student can take with him to the exam, and a student can keep with him during the session.
4. For wise, honest and decent people, azurite will become a reliable assistant for many years, giving them peace of mind, self-confidence and indestructible optimism. At the same time, for unkind, ambitious and deceitful people who have unclean thoughts and bad intentions, the stone will create obstacles on the way to their goal.
5. Azurite talisman will help overcome anxiety and fear, avoid disagreements and conflicts, and find a compromise solution to any problem.

Azurite jewelry, which plays the role of a talisman, should be worn as often as possible, since the stone needs constant contact with its owner. If stored in a box for too long, the magical properties of azurite are significantly reduced.

It is best to wear amulets and talismans with azurite:

• on the wrist;
• on the neck;
• in a pocket located at the level of the heart;
• just squeezing in your hand.

A copper frame will help them reveal their strength to the maximum extent. It is advisable to buy jewelry with azurite on Friday or Thursday. These days are the most successful for wearing this stone on the body.

Who is suitable for the sign of the zodiac

1. As a talisman, azurite (regardless of color) is ideal for representatives of the Aquarius zodiac constellations и weights. The gem will help them develop intuition and learn to recognize lies, as well as give them the ability to make the right decisions even in very difficult situations. People born under the sign of Libra can feel the influence of the talisman even at a considerable distance from the house in which it is located, so they do not need to have it with them. Communication with a stone will make Aquarius wise, honest and spiritually balanced.
2. Azurite will serve as a wonderful amulet for Virgos, Taurus, Pisces и Sagittarius. His crystals will keep them from committing unseemly acts and direct them to the right path. Pisces with its help will become more patient, gain faith and hope. The gem will endow Sagittarius with self-control and self-confidence.
3. For people whose zodiac sign is Gemini, the use of azurite as a talisman is categorically contraindicated, although for therapeutic purposes it will bring them many benefits.

Zodiac sign	Compatibility
Aries	+
Taurus	+
Gemini	—
Cancer	+
a lion	+
Virgo	+
Scales	++
Scorpio	+
Sagittarius	++
Capricorn	+
Aquarius	++
Pisces	++

("++" - the stone fits perfectly, "+" - you can wear it, "-" - it is categorically contraindicated).

Jewelry with azurite

The rich dark blue color of the crystals, which have a spectacular substrate of greenish, grayish or brown color, gave azurite a special appeal in the eyes of jewelers.

In processed form, they are used to make pendants, cufflinks, beads and earrings, however - despite the low cost - products with azurite inserts are quite rare on the jewelry market.

This is due to the increased fragility of stones, splitting even with a slight mechanical impact. Recently, elegant jewelry with small raw stones covered with the finest silver mesh has come into fashion.

Other uses of stone

1. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, natural pigment was obtained from azurite, which was used to prepare blue paint, which was used for painting church vaults, painting artistic canvases and icons.
2. Nowadays, azurite, which is an inexpensive ornamental stone, is used to make original souvenirs and handicrafts.
3. In industry, azurite, which is a minor component of complex copper ores, is used in the process of obtaining copper sulfate and smelting copper.
4. In pyrotechnics, azurite is the main component of the chemical compositions that give fireworks and fireworks a bright green color.
5. Azurite cabochons, which are notable for their low (from 3 to 7 dollars per gram) cost, often become almost the first specimens in the collections of mineral lovers.

Azurite price

The cost of azurite is quite affordable:

1. A polished round stone with a diameter of 0,8 cm will cost the buyer 8-10 euros.
2. For a stone having the shape of a rectangle or square and an area equal to 1 cm², you will have to pay 9-11 euros.
3. Irregularly shaped azurite, having an area of ​​​​3-5 cm², will cost 2-15 euros.

The cost of a stone depends not only on its size (the larger - the more expensive), but also on the place of extraction, the method of jewelry processing and on the inclusions of which rock its crystals contain.

How to distinguish from fakes

Despite the fact that azurite belongs to ornamental stones that do not differ in high cost, there are craftsmen who replace the stone with banal glass. It is especially important to determine if a mineral is real if you plan to use its healing and magical properties.

1. The first method is simple and aggressive at the same time. The healing stone should be placed in hydrochloric acid. If nothing happened to him, you were deceived and sold a fake. If the stone boiled and dissolved, then you can be congratulated on the fact that the seller of the stone turned out to be an honest person. This method of determining authenticity can be classified as effective, but meaningless.
2. The second method to distinguish a mineral from a fake is to carefully examine the stone. On real azurite, you can see all kinds of patterns, stripes and rings that make the mineral unique. On the artificial version, the drawings are either completely absent or do not differ in variety.

What stones are combined with

1. hematite. This combination of stones helps to improve memory and unlock intellectual potential, so jewelry with them can become successful mascots for schoolchildren and students.
2. lapis lazuli, tourmaline, blue topaz. In combination with these minerals, azurite will help maintain clarity of thought, show uncompromising and objectivity. Products with these stones can be worn by representatives of professions that require honesty and impartiality: judges, critics, journalists.
3. yellow topaz and citrine. Jewelry with these minerals will help a couple in love to keep the ardor of feelings.

Care of stone products

Azurite is able to retain its unique properties and pristine beauty of color only if it is properly stored and cared for:

1. Azurite should be stored in a dry, cool place, not subject to sudden temperature changes and excluding direct sunlight. With prolonged exposure to high humidity, this mineral may turn green.
2. Being an extremely fragile mineral, azurite needs to be protected from mechanical impacts (strong impacts and falls from a height).
3. In order not to scratch products with azurite, they should be stored either in a separate, tightly closed box, or in a special soft bag.
4. Azurite jewelry should be cleaned with a piece of soft, dry cloth. Heavily soiled products can be washed with warm soapy water, without forgetting to wipe dry. However, from contact with very hot water, the stone may lose its beautiful luster. The mineral should also be protected from exposure to household cleaning products.

Interesting Facts

1. A pigment made from natural azurite was used by the Russian icon painter Ivan Rublev to create the Trinity icon.
2. The most beautiful azurites, which have extraordinary transparency and large - up to 30 cm - sizes, are mined in the deposits of Namibia. The largest azurite found here in 1979 weighed 26 kg.
3. A truly gigantic block of azurite, weighing 4,5 tons, was discovered in the Copper Queen mine (Arizona, USA). You can see this miracle of nature, called the "singing stone", at the Museum of Natural History, located in New York.
4. The supplier of rather large (about 6 cm in diameter) minerals in Russia is the Ural mine "Gumyoshki".