AZURITE is another important copper ore like Turquoise and Malachite. In many of the locations where the green Malachite is found, there will be stones in that bright color of Azure blue...hence the name, Azurite. Most often the stones will be both blue and green representing a mixture of Malachite and Azurite.

Azurite occurs in only the oxidized portions of the copper ore veins which are located near the surface of the ground. Since most of this surface area has been mined out for years, Azurite itself has become quite scarce, while its cousin Malachite is very abundant in many parts of the world.

Although CHRYSOCOLLA will sometimes accumulate sufficient thickness to be cut as a gemstone, it more frequently merely stains chalcedony, producing an INTENSE blue or green material that is tough enough to cut. The hardness of Chrysocolla itself is only 2-4 on the Mohs scale, but the material frequently contains enough other minerals to become hard and take a high polish. 

Most Azurite and Chrysocolla rough material has been stabilized, as both of these materials are relatively softer gemstones on the Mohs scale. Extra care should be taken while setting or wrapping so as not to cause stress and damage the stone.