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Minute Man Fossils

Azurite and Malachite-Laos

Azurite and Malachite-Laos

Regular price $75.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $75.00 USD
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Species: Azurite and Malachite

Locality: Laos

Azurite and malachite are both copper carbonate minerals often found together in the oxidized zones of copper ore deposits. 

Azurite

Color: Deep blue, sometimes referred to as "azure blue."

Crystal Form: Typically forms as monoclinic crystals, but can also appear as masses or nodules.

Composition: Cu\(_3\)(CO\(_3\))\(_2\)(OH)\(_2\).

Properties: Soft (Mohs hardness of 3.5-4), with a vitreous to dull luster. Often used as a pigment and in jewelry.

Malachite

Color: Vivid green, ranging from bright to dark shades.

Crystal Form: Usually forms as botryoidal, fibrous, or stalactitic masses.

Composition: Cu\(_2\)(CO\(_3\))(OH)\(_2\).

Properties: Slightly harder than azurite (Mohs hardness of 3.5-4), with a silky to adamantine luster. Popular for decorative purposes and in gemstone carving.

 

In Laos, these minerals are often mined together due to their common association and similar formation conditions in copper-rich areas. They are valued both for their aesthetic appeal and their historical use in pigments and ornamental objects.

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