Azurite & Malachite Stalactite Slice

Azurite owes its name to its beautiful azure-blue color, which makes it a very popular and well-known mineral. The blue color, known as "azure," is like the deep blue evening skies often seen above deserts and winter landscapes. Azurite often occurs with green Malachite, which may form green stains or specks on Azurite crystals or aggregates. The two minerals sometimes occur admixed or banded together, forming what is called "Azure-malachite" in the gem and mineral trades. Azurite is a secondary mineral that usually forms when carbon-dioxide-laden waters descend into the Earth and react with subsurface copper ores. The carbonic acid in the water dissolves copper from the or, moving it to a new location where, if the conditions are right, azurite may form. Azurite forms in pore spaces, fractures, and cavities of rock, resulting in massive or nodular specimens. In rare situations, azurite can be found as stalactite and botryoidal shapes. Malachite is a green copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, one of the first ores to be used to produce copper metal. Has been used as a gemstone, sculptures, and pigment for thousands of years. Malachite does not fade over time or when exposed to light. Malachite’s striking green color ranges from a mint green to a deep, verdant emerald that’s almost black. Typically found as stalactites and botryoidal coatings on surfaces of underground cavities- similar to calcite deposits found in caves. When cut into slabs, the surfaces usually exhibit banding and eyes similar to agate.   This Azurite and Malachite Stalactite Tip is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter.