Azurite Uses and History
Deep, blue, and undeniably breathtaking.
Azurite’s Early History
Originally known in the early 19th century as 'chessylite' (after the local Chessy-les-Mines near Lyon, France) this rare copper carbonate mineral is known for its unique, brilliant, blue color, and legendary meanings and usages.
This specific mineral, a basic carbonate with the internal chemical formula of Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, has been known for centuries by its wild colors, and its frequent growth and association right along other copper carbonate based minerals such as malachite, chrysocolla, and turquoise.
With a Mohs hardness of 3.5 to 4, it is fairly soft, and its tendency to fade from blue to green with exposure to heat and light make it less than ideal for jewelry making.
Those aforementioned colors and harness limitations lead Azurite to being greatly desired in gem-quality specimens, since its typical softness and chemical breakdown actually make it less than ideal for jewelry and adornment, so the scarcity of mature enough cuts to create with, actually led to its most commonly and widespread usage throughout history; pigment.
Originally discovered by the Egyptians, as a pigmented dye for fabrics and textiles, often associated with royalty and the holy class, it has significant historical ties even dating to the Ming Dynasty as discovered in not only recovered items from the times, but used as detailing on cave and wall paintings.
Evolution of Use Over Time
In slightly more modern times, the middle and renaissance periods, Azurite took a slight evolution in its usage, from its first art forms being that of tempera and fresco paintings.
Fresco painting, method of painting water-based pigments on freshly applied plaster, usually on wall surfaces. The colors, which are made by grinding dry-powder pigments in pure water, dry and set with the plaster to become a permanent part of the wall.
Tempera painting, on the other hand, is the refined technique of painting with pigments bound in a water-soluble emulsion, such as water and egg yolk, or in it's later stages of progress, oil-in-water emulsion such as oil and a whole egg, and eventually just oil-based painting.
However, sometime during the 18th century, and with the discovery of 'Prussian Blue,' Azurites life as a pigment would begin to fall to the shadows for the newly found element and color.
Also, with the widespread range of where Azurite can form, and the simplicity of the elements required to cause the initial chemical reaction, there have been findings in such locales as Australia, America, Greece, Germany, France, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, and more.
Azurite in Modern Times
In today's world Azurite tends to be more of a collectors item, ranging from jewelry enhancements to polished, cut, or carved pieces to be used for anything as trinkets, to spiritual stones utilized within the energy healing/metaphysical communities.
Azurite historical connection to art and its endeavors and evolutions will always add a little more depth and surround the legacy of this blue beauty with just a little bit more impact.
Though rarely used as a pigment at this point in time, its color it still unprecedented, solidifying its spot as one of natures finest, a fine, and distinct, addition to any personal collection.
