Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : La Sal, San Juan, Utah, USA
SIZE : 17 x 11.5 cm

This very aesthetic sample consists of centimetric spherules of azurite. These spherules are included in an argillaceous matrix, tinted in green by malachite. It measures 17 x 11.5 cm.

This sample arises from an outcrop recently rediscovered: Sal, Utah, USA. This specimen was acquired thanks to support from Total and is currently exposed in the Room of the Treasure, located within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Azurite

HISTORY : Name inspired by Persian word "lazhward" meaning "blue", in reference to its colour

Species redescribed and renamed in 1824 par François-Sulpice Beudant (1787-1850), French mineralogist and geologist

Type-locality: Chessy-les-Mines, Rhône, France
ANCIENT NAME : Fleur de cuivre bleu, cuivre carbonaté bleu

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Cu3 (CO3)2 (OH)2
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Monoclinic
COLOR : Light blue to dark blue
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to opaque
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : Light blue
MORPHOLOGY : Tabular crystals, prismatic, rhomboedric, massive, earthy, as roses, botryoidal
HARDNESS : 3,5-4,0
DENSITY : 3,78

CHEMICAL CLASS : V - Carbonates, nitrates
GROUP : Azurite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 5/C.01-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 5.BA.05

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Azurite

MNHN N°193.82

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