Azurite

specimen number:
1052441

location:
Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA

description:
Beautiful blue lustrous bladed crystals of azurite to 0.5 cm in size across the top of matrix with small crystals of malachite replacing cuprite. Some damage is present as seen. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and dates to the very early 20th century. Often times one sees this material labeled as coming from the Copper Queen Mine. I believe it has been shown that these are actually from the Czar Mine, 200 level.

Bisbee, Arizona, is one of the most important historic mining districts in the United States, with large scale development beginning in the 1880s after the discovery of rich copper deposits. The district grew rapidly and became a major producer of copper, along with significant amounts of gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Mining was carried out through extensive underground workings and later large open pit operations such as the Lavender Pit. Operations continued into the late 20th century before closing, and Bisbee is now well known for its mining heritage and for producing a wide variety of fine mineral specimens from its complex ore deposits.

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