Azurite - Russia |Ref400

This azurite from Russia has been cut and polished to reveal its internal structure. Its surface displays an intense to deep blue colour, combined with darker areas and a few pale inclusions.

The polished face reveals radiating patterns and natural growth variations within the mineral. The irregular outline retains part of the stone’s natural appearance and contrasts with the worked surface.

Azurite is a copper carbonate with the chemical formula Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂. Its characteristic blue colour is directly related to its copper content.

In antiquity, azurite was ground to produce a blue pigment. It was used in ancient Egypt for painting and decoration and remained an important source of blue colour for artists for many centuries.

Stone dimensions: 39 × 13 × 35 mm.
Weight including the stand: 57 g.
Year collected: 2019.