Azurite is an an intense deep blue color with a Mohs
hardness between 3 and 4. Different sources claim the name is derived from the
Persian word lazhward or from the Arabic word azul, both of which mean blue.
It often occurs with malachite, chrysocolla or turquoise in
areas with copper deposits. A rare form called “Bluebird”, has dark red Cuprite
mixed with azurite – notice the triangular shaped stone in the bottom left of
the collage.
Azurite is found in Australia, Chile, France, Mexico,
Morocco, Nambia, the southwestern USA, and Zaire.
For thousands of years this stone has been used in jewelry
and ornamental objects. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance it was ground
into pigment for use in paint and eye shadow .
It is not known widely as a birthstone, but several
references indicate it may have been used as a birthstone for the sign of
Taurus.