La azurite or also called blue malachite is the most sought after among all gemstones. Characterized by its peculiar intense blue color and its interesting background and history through entire generations. Learn all about this copper mineral, its healing qualities, meaning and much more.
Azurite History
The best known name that has been given to this stone is azurite, derived from the Arabic word ''azur'' whose translation into Spanish is 'blue', thus alluding to its striking and intense color that has characterized it and has gained its fame all over the world.
In addition to ''blue malachite'' as an alternative name, it can also be known in Europe as ''Chesilite'', a name that makes direct reference to the French town located in the surroundings of Lyon, where the first records of these precious stones found in a copper mine in the year 1824.
There is evidence that azurite was a stone of great value to the Egyptians, who considered it sacred; This is because it enabled them to open the bridge to the spiritual world and allowed communication between said world and the earthly world.
Having been used in numerous Egyptian rituals, it had great aesthetic value in later times. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance it was used as a jewel, passing as an element for the elaboration of eye shadows and later the rise of azurite began as a decoration stone.
Features
Azurite evolved over time, since ancient times it has had reactions that allow it to mutate with minerals, such as copper, carbonate, oxygen and hydrogen.
Its color even occurred over time after evolving when exposed to malachite, combining with this mineral in a ferrous environment.
The striking and intense blue color of azurite has earned it its fame and has characterized it as being so peculiar among other precious stones. This was provided in turn by a reaction of copper and a combination with malachite over the years.
Discover other minerals with the article on blue gemstones.
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chemical structure
Blue malachite is a relatively soft and malleable mineral, achieving a hardness of 3,5 to 4 on the Mohs scale. It is easily diluted in hydrochloric acid like many stones of the same category and can be exfoliated in various directions without suffering any damage. Of damage. Azurite has a mild toxicity level.
This mineral is part of the category of copper carbonates, being made up of 69,2% copper, 25,6% carbon dioxide and 5,2% water. Being directly derived from copper, it has similarities to malachite with the difference that azurite is in a more advanced oxidation state.
esoteric properties
Esoteric studies the use of stones in jewelry and, in turn, the process of each stone to become a jewel. Azurite is a mineral that forms at the exact moment that copper undergoes an oxidation process. This mineral is not commonly found in crystal form before being altered by human intervention.
Due to its softness it is easy to polish convexly with a flat base to form a cabochon. It is not recommended to expose it to heat for a long time, because it can lose the intensity of its color. Once the mineral has been converted into a crystal, it can easily be seen in small layers of stains that lie within it, intensifying its remarkable beauty.
The color of azurite is varied and it can be found in different types of contrasts and tones, depending on its rarity and use. Generally the most expensive ones are those with an intense hue and a fairly sharp shine.
Azurite, being the most sought-after precious stone, has an immense collection value, making enthusiasts and collectors from all over the globe also have a fixation with this mineral, however, this interesting result of nature also fulfills functions in everyday life. of individuals who possess it.
Crystallography
Azurite is a prismatic category gemstone that occurs in an elongated or circular shape.
In its natural form prior to crystallization, it has an earthy, velvety and rustic appearance and texture. This stone crystallizes in the monoclinic system and belongs to the space group P2c.
How is azurite used?
Even being one of the most sought after stones in the world, azurite today often has an exclusively decorative purpose; It is used as an ornament or garment thanks to its striking aesthetic qualities, such as its lively and striking color, thus gaining the attention of the most ambitious.
Formerly in the various cultures this stone was crushed and pulverized to be used as a dye and pigment for fabrics. In the Middle Ages it was a resource that supplanted lapis lazuli as a paint pigment. If you are interested in learning about the lapis lazuli here you will find everything.
However, the stone has medical and spiritual purposes and its use has emotional benefits, in this way it is commonly used as an amulet.
Possession of an azurite during pregnancy, for example, can greatly optimize the conditions for the development of the embryo and also ensures a healthy outcome of childbirth.
Health benefits
It is well known that blue azurite or malachite has great potential to repair problems that have to do with teeth and skin, it also has healing qualities that prevent problems such as brain damage, allowing the blood to oxygenate in the best way.
Azurite as a healing method is effective for both the teeth and the rest of the bone structure throughout the human body. It is commonly used in spinal alignment treatments, joint problems. As it is also useful for dealing with broken limbs, rib cage problems, acting on small bones and is a common treatment for arthritis.
It is also known to be very frequented to treat kidney, liver and blood vessel problems. This valuable stone can also take care of inhibiting reflex problems such as vertigo and migraines.
In pregnancy, the gemstone can be a very positive health tool for the healthy and prosperous development of the embryo.
Some curious details of importance that stand out from this stone:
- It helps you overcome psychosomatic health problems.
- The healing qualities of azurite are constantly evolving.
- Ancient civilizations used it as a method of treatment against degenerative diseases that were similar to cancer.
- A radioactive field can be achieved by combining azurite with malachite, which is tolerable and healthy for the human body and is used for medical treatment.
emotional and spiritual benefits
In the spiritual aspect, it provides a great guide in the psychic, intuitive and emotional development of those who possess it. This precious mineral is always in charge of channeling the positive energies of importance in our thoughts so that your spirit is in complete peace and harmony.
It has great spiritual power that drives the soul of the individual towards peace, helps expand the psyche, extend the limits of thought, optimize understanding and our empathy. It is known to be an amulet of great influence that drives away and inhibits negative thoughts.
This precious stone focuses on the decisions of the person who possesses it and is responsible for sowing wisdom, expanding expectations and vision of the future, cleaning perception and increasing awareness and maturity when making decisions at crucial moments in life. .
Azurite for rituals
It is also attributed to be a portal that opens to let in the energies that lend balance and stabilize emotions. It grants knowledge and helps to stimulate everything related to the sixth sense.
Being an amulet that attracts and contributes to good luck, it allows you to develop intuition and helps you to be alert. It is also a very happy method to eliminate any thoughts of anxiety, reduce nerves and is responsible for optimizing the sensors of your body to work as a painkiller.
Also, tune our our chakras with calm when it comes to overcoming traumatic events from the past whose vestiges continue to echo in your present.
The stone is able to ward off the dark energies that haunt your life, protecting your spirit from negativity. learn about the chakras of the human body and how to open them
In this way, azurite becomes one of the most effective stones to open the body's chakras and deep cleanse the soul.
boost effects
To enhance and optimize the effects of the stone there are different techniques depending on the result you want to achieve:
- Put it under the pillow to eliminate nightmares, inhibit insomnia and stimulate prophetic dreams.
- Take your elixir to combat anxiety attacks.
- Always carry it in your hand to encourage predictions and optimize our understanding.
meditation tips
All blue stones are potential meditation resources and azurite is not far behind. To stimulate concentration, it is recommended to place one of these minerals in front of our body when doing so.
Azurite has much more to do with combating phobias, sorrows, fears, and trauma than any other gemstone. The recommended way to act more effectively is to hold it with the right hand over the third eye, or in any case, wear it as a garment on the body.
Deposit and extraction
Azurite is a mineral belonging to the group of carbonates derived from copper. This is found in copper deposits and reserves. Surprisingly, despite its fame and demand, the appearance and extraction of this mineral is due more to chance than to the ambition of the industry to exploit it.
Because of its impractical uses, there is no focus of exploitation and export of this mineral in particular, the means of extraction of azurite is the result of the constant intervention of man in copper deposits.
A phenomenon called pseudomorphism is derived from azurite, in which a cell is altered or mutated, thus giving rise to malachite. In this way, it is more than common to find malachites and azurites in the same environment.
Some of the localities recognized for hosting copper deposits with a large number of specimens of azurite and malachite throughout the world are:
- U.S.A.
- France
- England
- Pakistan
- Italy
- Greece
- Switzerland
- Morocco
- Namibia
- Chile
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Netherlands
As you can see, the countries where the extraction of this mineral is most frequented are spread throughout the globe, finding deposits in Europe, Latin America, Asia and Oceania.
How should azurite be cleaned?
The cleaning that this stone requires is merely physical, unlike other stones in its category. It is known that azurite does not absorb any type of energy, so a simple cleaning to preserve its physical state every certain period of time is more than enough.
It is always advisable to clean it with cotton or some type of absorbent material that, when moistened, is carefully applied to the surface of the mineral. Try to refrain from using chemicals, cleaning materials, or sponges with rough surfaces that can cause damage to the stone.
Interesting facts about azurite
The popularity of azurite grew prominently in the Roman Empire as a material that, when powdered, had an intense and persistent pigment level, so much so that it later stood as a witness to a remarkable work of art. Some sources claim that the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo Buonarroti located in Vatican City, was made in part by painting extracted from azurite stone.
If you liked this article about Azurite, you can learn more about other stones by visiting the other topics of our Spiritual Energy Blog.