What on Earth is Azurite?

Azurite is a soft, deep-blue copper carbonate mineral that forms in the upper, oxidized parts of copper deposits, and it takes its name from the Arabic word for blue. Its colour runs from bright azure to indigo, sometimes with streaks of lighter blue. Read on for its history and lore, or browse mineral specimens.

The History of Azurite

It is said that azurite got its name from the Arabic word for blue “ azul. Azurite can be found primarily in Australia, Russia, France, Chile, Mexico, Namibia, specific states in the USA, Zaire, and Morocco.

The stone has been used in ornamental objects, as a gemstone, as an ore of copper, and in jewelry for thousands of years. The color was so appealing to the ancient people that azurite has been ground into pigment to be used in paints, fabric dye, and even eye shadow. As a pigment, azurite is recognized as a major source of the blues used by medieval painters in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

The Lore of Azurite

Azurite was a most potent psychic stone to the inhabitants of Atlantis and the early Egyptians. It was shrouded in mystery and was said that its secrets were known only to the highest priests and priestesses. The Native Americans used azurite which that considered sacred to contact their spiritual guide and enabled them to go on out of body journeys safely.

To the ancient Chinese, azurite was called the Stone of Heaven because they believed it to open celestial gateways. The Greeks and the Romans also revered azurite, believing it gave them visionary insights and spiritual power.

Azurite in Modern Crystal Lore

Today, azurite is still associated in crystal lore with clear thinking and calm focus. It is seen as a stone of new perspectives, intuition and insight.

Many people reach for it when they want to set aside indecision and lingering thoughts.

Azurite as a Collector's Stone

Azurite has a long working history: it has been mined as a copper ore, carved into ornaments and ground into blue pigment. Collectors prize it today as a specimen, often found alongside green malachite, and it also appears in lapidary pieces.

How to Use Azurite

Many people keep azurite on a desk or shelf as a reminder to slow down, or hold it while they meditate. Because azurite is soft, handle it gently, keep it dry and away from heat, and wipe it with a dry cloth. See more in our mineral specimen range.