AZURITE

Azurite is used occasionally as beads and as jewellery, and also as an ornamental stone. However, its softness and tendency to lose its deep blue colour as it weathers limit such uses. Heating destroys azurite easily, so all mounting of azurite specimens must be done at room temperature. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, azurite was the most important pigment in European painting, Under ordinary conditions it is remarkably stable. It is chemically similar to the green pigment malachite It is thought to stimulate deep levels of consciousness, and to increase subtle communication skills such as intuition, creativity, and inspiration. Location - France etc Group - Copper Hardness - 3.5-4