

According to the majority it got its name from its color, after the latin word azura. Some people say that the name origins from the persian lazhward (blue) word. Azurite issues usually with malachite in the oxidation zones of copper ores. It has columnar, tabular crystals, but appers in massive tuberous, radial spherical shapes. It was used in the medieval Europe for painting. That time it was easier to get from its locality in France, near Lyon, than the lapis lazuli (also blue) from Afghanistan. Later it may transform into malachite. In Hungary it can be found in Rudabánya and Kozár near Pécs. Localities: Namibia (Tsumeb), USA (Arizona), Australia, Morocco etc.