Azurite is a stone whose properties have attracted human attention since ancient times. This is a natural mineral, one of the subspecies of copper ore. It features saturated shades of azure blue, glass shine and perfectly smooth edges. By nature, a rather fragile mineral has an interesting feature - over time, it turns into a precious green stone malachite.
Azurite (stone): description
This is one of the most ancient minerals known to man. The stone is very beautiful, has a pleasant blue or blue tint. This filling of the heavenly blue gem is mesmerizing. Since ancient times, stone has been considered an attribute of druids and shamans; it became a muse of ingenious icon painters and great artists.
Azurite is a stone whose properties are considered unique; its incredibly attractive appearance is a cherished dream of many collectors around the world. Its crystal clear blue illuminates the arches of the famous Sistine Chapel.
Stone characteristic
Despite the fact that the mineral is one of the varieties of copper ore, it is not valued as highly as malachite. Its name comes from the word azur, which is translated from French as "azure". And the stone fully justifies this name: an exquisite rich blue color, amazing glass luster and perfectly smooth edges make it spectacular and memorable.
Azurite is a stone whose properties can be called unique. This is the only mineral in the world that boils in hydrochloric acid. Its crystals have a complex shape. In addition to the names known to experts, the stone has other names. For example, the French call him shessilith, in honor of the city of Chessy, which in the old days was famous for the extraction of azurite. In addition, the mineral is often called copper azure, copper blue, copper lapis, mountain blue, armenite.
Azurite is a stone whose properties are well understood today. It is formed in polymetallic and copper ores as a result of the oxidation of copper minerals (primary). Copper carbonate containing hydroxyl anions - this is azurite (stone). The characteristic of its chemical composition sounds that way.
The sky blue color gives the mineral copper, the content of which exceeds 55%. Under natural conditions, azurite forms small columnar crystals. This stone is characterized by a kink in the form of a shell. The stone is considered quite fragile - according to the Mohs scale, its hardness is 3.5-4 units.
Mineral deposits
Azurite - a stone whose properties are used in various fields around the world, is mined in many countries. But its largest deposits are located in the following countries:
- Mexico;
- Chile;
- USA;
- Australia (Queensland);
- Kazakhstan;
- France;
- Germany.
There are small deposits in Africa (Zaire, Zambia, Namibia), Morocco (Tuissit, Mibladen), as well as in the Southern Urals.
Healing properties
Today, many people know azurite (stone). The magical properties of the mineral are used by psychics in their sessions, jewelry connoisseurs dream of acquiring products with this stone . However, not everyone knows that in addition to exquisite beauty, this azure stone is famous for its healing properties. According to lithotherapists, it can help with diseases such as:
- melancholy;
- hysteria;
- hallucinations;
- epilepsy;
- disorders of the nervous system.
In addition, azurite contributes to the treatment of:
- eye diseases;
- hypertension
- some skin diseases;
- asthma
Azurite has a strong energy, so it can not be worn for more than one month in a row. Excessive enthusiasm for this mineral often leads to internal imbalance. Lithotherapists recommend wearing it for no more than three days. Then you need to take a break for two weeks.
Azurite (stone): properties suitable for
Azurite became famous for its magical properties in ancient times. The priests of ancient Egypt used it to communicate with the gods, and in Ireland, the druids determined the life path of young people with it. They performed a certain ritual with azurite with the young men, and during it the young man clearly imagined his purpose.
In the East, azurite is still considered the "third eye", which helps to see everything that is hidden from the human eye. In the modern world, magicians and psychics with the help of azurite remove emotional excitement, help to cope with negative emotions. They argue that the mineral will certainly help:
- in making the right decision;
- in a peaceful resolution to the conflict;
- expose the fraud;
- identify detractors;
- maintain optimism in a difficult situation;
- find peace and purity of soul.
Zodiac signs
Often, modern psychics and healers people are interested in whether azurite (stone) has magical properties. Libra zodiac sign can fully feel the beneficial effect of stone. Azurite is a stone of Jupiter, which in astrology symbolizes self-sufficiency, self-affirmation, superiority. This mineral is just perfect for Libra (along with malachite). He is endowed with a therapeutic effect in diseases that are most often found in this sign.
People born under the sign of Libra, with the help of azurite, will attract luck if they have talismans or amulets made of this stone with them or simply bring it to their home. The mineral has a positive effect on people born under the sign of Sagittarius, Taurus, Aquarius and Virgo.
Most likely, many are interested in what negative properties of azurite (stone) have. The zodiac sign Gemini, or rather the people born under it, in the first place, they will feel the negative influence of this stone on themselves. It is desirable that he was not in the houses of the Twins. Representatives of other signs can "communicate" with this beautiful stone, but the contact should be short-lived. Otherwise, the mineral will not help and lose its strength.
How to distinguish natural azurite?
Azurite is not used very often in jewelry because of its fragility; more often, the mineral adorns private collections of stone experts. If you want to be sure that you get real azurite, remember a few of its features:
- Under the influence of moisture, azurite turns into malachite, acquiring a green tint.
- This mineral is rarely pure blue, it almost always has interspersed malachite.
- If you lower a small piece of the mineral into hydrochloric acid, it will boil in it.
- In the structure of the stone has rings, stripes and other ordered elements.
How to care for a stone?
Caring for azurite is not easy. It must be protected from dampness, in order to avoid the appearance of a greenish tint. It must be handled with care, as the mineral is brittle and breaks quite easily even when dropped. Azurite must be cleaned with a soft, dry cloth. To preserve the blue color for a long time, the stone should be stored in a cool place, since it does not like sudden changes in temperature. Do not allow any chemicals to enter the mineral and protect against prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
The use of azurite
Despite the fragility of this mineral, it is used quite widely:
Painting
Since ancient times, with the help of azurite, tempera blue paint was made, which artists used in icon painting.
Jewelcrafting
Due to the increased fragility, azurite has been used infrequently in the jewelry industry. But recently, jewelry with azurite framed in a silver mesh has become popular. As a rule, these are small unprocessed crystals.
Decorative art
Mineral is used as an inexpensive ornamental stone.
Pyrotechnics
Azurite is part of the pyrotechnic products for coloring green fireworks.
Industry
Azurite is used to obtain copper and copper sulfate.
Interesting facts about azurite
- Some specimens are striking in their size. In 1980, a mineral weighing twenty-six kilograms was discovered in Namibia.
- In 1997, an even larger specimen was found in Arizona. Its mass was 4.5 tons. An extraordinary find was called "The Singing Stone."
- The world-famous icon painter Andrei Rublev used azurite in his work on Trinity.
- The most valuable and largest specimens are most often mined in Zaire. On the territory of our country, the largest minerals (up to 6 cm in diameter) are mined at the Gumeshki mine in the Urals.