Azurite - Kerouchen, Morocco | Ref.449

This azurite comes from Kerrouchen, Morocco, and was discovered in 2019. It forms a compact cluster of intergrown tabular crystals ranging in colour from deep blue to very dark blue.

The crystal faces display a strong lustre and fine growth striations, which become particularly visible as the light moves across the piece. Small areas of pale matrix appear between the crystals, creating a distinct contrast with the azurite.

Mounted on a clear acrylic base, this azurite measures 30 × 22 × 26 mm and weighs 28 g including the base. Detailed photographs and a video show the arrangement of the crystals and their reflections from several angles.

Azurite is a copper carbonate hydroxide with the chemical formula Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂. Its characteristic blue colour is produced by the presence of copper.