Azurite the Stunning Blue Gemstone

Physical Properties of Azurite

Azurite is one of the most intensely colored blue gemstones in the mineral kingdom, and has been renowned since antiquity. It is a carbonate mineral with a rather complex chemical formula, and is closely related to another mineral, malachite (combinations of both azurite and malachite are called azurite-malachite). In fact, azurite weathers into malachite during a process which changes its carbonate to hydroxide ratio from 1:1 to 1:2.

Azurite crystallizes as masses or concretions, although it can also appear as prismatic tabular crystals, albeit rarely. It gets its blue color from the copper element in its makeup. The hardness is quite low, and ranges from around 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. Although this is too soft to make it an every day jewelry piece, good quality azurite is still fashioned into jewelry pieces.

Try to keep azurite in a dark, cool place, and an airtight container to minimize its contact with air which tarnishes its blue color and subsequently morphs it into its green form, malachite.

azurite

Azurite was used in ancient times by the Egyptians as an ornamental stone, and also as a blue pigment/dye. It was also considered a sacred stone by the natives of both North and South American continents.

Today, azurite is mined from copper deposits around the world like the Tsumeb, in Namibia, various locations in Australia, China, and the USA. Two famous areas for azurite include Bisbee, in Arizona, USA, and the famous Chessy copper mines in France, where they are called Chessylite.

Metaphysical Properties of Azurite

The rich and deep blue color of azurite is a perfect stone to accompany one for spiritual pursuits. It stimulates the throat and third eye chakras, and promotes the development of the psychic self. Being a blue stone, azurite also enhances creative ability (one of the attributes of the throat chakra), and can provide calmness even in worrying or confusing situations. It can also assist in developing self-confidence, and helps one to know the right direction in order to proceed.

azurite-malachite

Azurite with malachite nodules

azurite crystalsAzurite aligns the chakras, easing the flow of energy and dissolving etheric blockages which are impeding self-development. During meditation, holding azurite nodules or crystals will facilitate deep relaxation and helping one achieve the state of “Samadhi”.

It helps one to travel deep within the inner being and maintain this state during meditation. In everyday life, azurite can certainly help one to maintain a relaxed and lucid state of mind with an emphasis on self-awareness and the dissolution of impediments and obstacles in one’s path.

Azurite Healing Properties

For physical ailments, azurite has been used to treat blood circulation disorders, and align malformed skeletal structure relating to the spinal cord, rib cage, and other small bones. It can also assist with toxin removal from the body, and promote proper functioning of the nervous system and consequently, enhances flexibility in physical motion. The commonly seen combination of azurite-malachite provides for a few other additional metaphysical properties, namely, the melding of both mineral attributes.

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