monoclinic Carbonates
Azurite
Formula Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
Crystal Structure
#! Species: Azurite
#! System: Monoclinic (2/m)
#! Habit: Tabular to prismatic with complex faces
monoclinic[2/m]:{001}@1.0 + {110}@0.8 + {100}@0.7 + {011}@0.5 + {111}@0.4
monoclinic
2/m
{001} {110} {100} {011} {111}
Quick Facts
Hardness
3.5
Specific Gravity
3.77
Refractive Index
1.73
Optical Character
Biaxial +
Physical Properties
- Crystal System
- monoclinic
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5
- Specific Gravity
- 3.77
- Cleavage
- Perfect {011}, fair {100}
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Lustre
- Vitreous (crystals) to earthy (massive)
Optical Properties
- Refractive Index
- 1.73
- Birefringence
- 0.108-0.110
- Optical Character
- Biaxial +
- Pleochroism
- strong: Light blue / Dark blue (Dichroic; distinctive azure blue coloration)
Characteristics
Colours
Azure blueDeep blueDark blueLight blue
Localities
Morocco (Touissit, Mibladen - world-class crystals)Namibia (Tsumeb)Arizona (USA - Bisbee, Morenci)AustraliaFrance (Chessy - historic "chessylite")Russia
Crystal Forms
prismpinacoidtabular crystals
Notes
Alters readily to malachite; reacts with dilute HCl; distinguished from lazurite by crystal form and higher SG
Related Minerals
Other minerals in the monoclinic system
