Azurita en Roseta
Azurita is a mineral with formula Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂, in the Carbonatos group. This specimen comes from Kerrouchen, Caïdat de Kerrouchen, Khénifra, Béni Mellal-Khénifra, Marruecos and joined the Terrium collection in 2004.
Description
Azurite rosette or 'flower' floater with no point of attachment. Compact, with a very dense central core and radial growth forming a thicker crown on the upper side. Clear centre-to-rim structure; outward expansion well developed.
About Azurita
Copper hydroxycarbonate, richer in carbonate than its sister malachite. Azurite can form radial growths when it crystallises in open spaces with a sustained supply of copper-rich solutions, as at Kerrouchen. From an initial nucleus, the aggregate expands outwards and generates compact rosettes or 'flowers' with a dense internal structure. This habit is not dominant in the species, which is better known for prismatic or tabular crystals.
About the locality
Classic copper district of the Middle Atlas. Kerrouchen comprises small scattered workings on copper-rich sedimentary mineralisations, worked intermittently and in many cases by artisanal methods. The area is known in the mineral market for rosette azurites, malachite pseudomorphs and other well-defined secondary species, often with no specific mine recorded on labels. Material has circulated for decades through local extraction and trading networks, which explains the prevalence of generic labels with good aesthetics but loosely constrained provenance.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0381
- Composition
- Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
- Name
- Azurita
- Variety
- en Roseta
- Group
- Carbonatos
- Category
- Meritum Persé
- Mine
- Kerrouchen
- District / Municipality
- Caïdat de Kerrouchen
- Province
- Khénifra
- Region
- Béni Mellal-Khénifra
- Country
- Marruecos
- Size (cm)
- 3 x 3 x 1.8
- Weight
- 23.9 g
- Acquired
- 2004
- Ex-collection
- Diego Navarro
- Etymology
- From the Arabic "az-zurad", referring to the deep blue colour of its crystals.
- Quality
- Notable
- 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