AZURITE



Azurite, a copper carbonate hydroxide mineral, was first described from Franklin by Vanuxem and Keating (1822b) as "blue carbonate of copper" and later was described by Palache (1928a, 1935). It is also found at Sterling Hill.
Azurite occurs as very fine, albeit small (1-3 mm) crystals, which were measured, described, and extensively illustrated by Palache (1928a, 1935). The abundant crystal drawings should not be taken as an indication of abundant azurite; it was uncommon locally. Azurite is deep blue, although light-blue films have been verified from Sterling Hill. No physical, optical, or chemical data exist for local specimens.
Azurite was found associated with malachite, goethite, aurichalcite, and rarely rosasite or hemimorphite at the north end of Mine Hill in Franklin. The matrix for many specimens is severely altered; in general, only goethite remains as a visible matrix mineral. For other specimen matrixes, magnetite persists with calcite; this assemblage may have been derived from parent chalcocite-magnetite intergrowths. Palache (1928a, 1935) noted that his specimens came from the 200 level at Franklin.
Similar specimens are known from Sterling Hill, commonly in veins. Some specimens seem to have formed from the alteration of chalcocite, bornite, or chalcopyrite. The associated minerals are the same as at Franklin, with the addition of sparse serpentine. (Dunn, 1995)

 Location Found: Franklin and Ogdensburg
     
 
 Year Discovered: 1824
     
 Formula: Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
 Essential Elements: Carbon, Copper, Hydrogen, Oxygen
 All Elements in Formula: Carbon, Copper, Hydrogen, Oxygen
     
 IMA Status: Valid - first described prior to 1959 (pre-IMA) - "Grandfathered"
     
     
 To find out more about this mineral at minDat's website, follow this link   Azurite

     
 References:
Dunn, Pete J. (1995). Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey: the world's most magnificent mineral deposits. Franklin, NJ.: The Franklin-Ogdensburg Mineralogical Society. p.618

Frondel, Clifford (1972). The minerals of Franklin and Sterling Hill, a checklist. NY.: John Willey & Sons. p.44
The Picking Table References
 PT Issue and PageDescription / Comment
View IssueV. 27 No. 2 - Fall 1986, pg. 5Minerals of the Franklin Quarry, Philip P. Betancourt, Azurite
View IssueV. 7, No. 2 - August 1966, pg. 6The Minerals of Sterling Hill 1962-65 by Frank Z. Edwards - Azurite
     
Images
     
Azurite, calcite, franklinite and willemite, from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ.
Azurite (blue), calcite (white), franklinite (black) and willemite (dark gray), from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ. Photo by Robert A. Boymistruk.

Azurite, franklinite, calcite and minor malachite from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ
Azurite (blue), franklinite (black), calcite (white and tan) and minor malachite (green) from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ. 1 3/4" x 1 1/4". Photo by WP.

Azurite on calcite from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ
Azurite (blue) on calcite (white) from Sterling Hill Mine, NJ. 3 3/4" x 3". Photo by WP.






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