Azurite with Malachite

specimen number:
2072053

location:
Kerrouchene, Boumia Pachalik, Midelt, Draa-Tafilalet, Morocco

description:
Beautiful thumbnail specimen with lustrous deep blue azurite crystals in a cluster with minor malachite. In great condition.

The Kerrouchene locality, situated in the Khenifra Province within the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, is a world-renowned source of secondary copper minerals. Mining in this area has historically been small-scale and artisanal, focusing on the extraction of high-quality mineral specimens rather than industrial ore production. Geologically, the deposit is hosted within Triassic-aged red sandstones and siltstones that have undergone significant oxidation. The primary copper mineralization occurred as hydrothermal fluids moved through the porous sedimentary layers, which were later altered by oxygen-rich groundwater near the surface. Kerrouchene is most famous for its extraordinary azurite, which often occurs as large, deep blue, tabular crystals or as radiant rosettes. These crystals are frequently found in association with malachite, which sometimes forms as a secondary replacement (pseudomorph) after the original azurite. The contrast between the intense royal blue azurite and the vibrant green malachite, often set against a reddish-brown matrix, makes these specimens highly sought after by collectors for their aesthetic beauty and sharp crystalline forms.

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