Azurmalachite

Trade name for azurite-malachite intergrowths

Azurmalachite shop



Origin of name: contraction of the names azurite and malachite

Synonyms and trade names: azuritmalachite, bluebird

Can be confused with: some chrysocolla (eilatite, eilat stone)

Localities: the copper carbonates azurite and malachite are very common worldwide and often occur in tight paragenesis (greek para = next to, side by side). Azurite is unstable. Due to the replacement of some carbon dioxide by water during weathering processes, azurite changes to malachite.
Mixtures (intergrowths) of both minerals are not uncommon. The commercially most important location is Bisbee, Arizona, USA.





Handling: untreated azurmalachite is very susceptible to pressure and, due the somewhat porous surface, acids and brines.
However, in the gem trade (not the mineral trade) untreated azurmalachite is not to be encountered. Almost always the material is treated (stabilized) with synthetic resins to improve its properties.

Azurmalachite shop