Azurita
Azurita is a mineral with formula Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Kerrouchene, Caïdat de Kerrouchen, Khénifra, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2025.
Description
Terminated prismatic azurite needle of intense, electric blue, with vitreous lustre.
About Azurita
A basic copper carbonate, a typical secondary mineral in the oxidised zones of copper deposits. It occurs as prismatic or tabular crystals, or in radiating aggregates; specimens from Kerrouchene are valued for the purity of their blue colour and the individual development of their crystals.
About the locality
Kerrouchene is one of Morocco's best known localities for acicular and prismatic azurite, noted for its well-defined crystals and characteristic vitreous lustre, commonly associated with malachite or limonite.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0153
- Composition
- Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Name
- Azurita
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Estélites
- Mine
- Kerrouchene
- District / Municipality
- Caïdat de Kerrouchen
- Province
- Khénifra
- Region
- Béni Mellal-Khénifra
- Country
- Marruecos
- Size (cm)
- 4 x 0.3 x 0.2
- Weight
- 1.2 g
- Acquired
- 2025
- Etymology
- From Arabic 'az-zurad', referring to the intense blue colour of its crystals.
- Quality
- Muy buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Acantita (Paramórfica tras Argentita) — Marruecos
- Andersonita — España
- Andradita (Melanita) — Marruecos
- Apatito — Marruecos
- Aragonito (Pantojo) — España
- Aragonito (Azul (Toralina)) — España
- Aragonito — Italia