Azurite << AZH uh ryt >> is a blue mineral that contains copper. Azurite is mined as a copper ore, but most azurite is used for ornamentation. Small stones are polished and mounted in jewelry. Slabs are shaped into decorative objects such as bowls. Artists once used ground azurite as a pigment for paint. Azurite’s crystal structure is monoclinic (see Crystal (Classifying crystals)).
Azurite is usually found in the same location as malachite, a similar mineral that is green. Azurite is found throughout the world, but the best crystals come from Chessy, near Lyon, France. Fine azurite also occurs in Australia, Greece, Mexico, Namibia, Romania, Russia, and the United States.
