azurite

TSNB710
Specimen
Von Karabacek, H.
Exhibit 1. Azurite (w. arsentsumebite (?)); 95 mm.
Exhibit 1. Azurite (w. arsentsumebite (?)); 95 mm.
Image Credit: Malcolm Southwood

Specimen Title

azurite

Associated Minerals

arsentsumebite (?); malachite; smithsonite

Principal Mineral

Azurite

Size

Cabinet; 95mm

Location in the Mine

First oxidation zone

Provenance

Von Karabacek, H.

Collection

MGMH; 93569

Entry Number

Specimen; TSNB710

Description

Equant crystals of highly lustrous and intensely blue azurite (to 20 mm) on a matrix of Cu/Pb arsenates with minor green smithsonite and sparse accessory malachite. The arsenate matrix has not been analysed. It is largely cryptocrystalline, but with localised development of botryoids and microcrystals in vugs, the habit and colour of which suggest arsentsumebite (?) as a major constituent.

The specimen was number 1827 in the collection of Austrian industrialist Hans von Karabacek, part of which was purchased by Harvard University in 1935, thereby dating it unequivocally to the first oxidation zone.