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AB
AB stands for Aurora borealis
(which means "northern
lights"). Aurora borealis
rhinestones have a special
iridescent finish that shines
with many colors. The iridescent
surface is a result of a very
thin layer of metallic atoms
that have been deposited on
the lower surface of the stone.
This process was invented
in 1955 by the Swarovski company
together with Christian Dior.
ABALONE
Abalone is a mollusk
whose shell is iridescent
on the inside; abalone is
a source of mother of pearl,
which is used in jewelry making.
ALBITE
A common white feldspar composed
of a silicate of alumina and
soda. It is a common constituent
of granite and of various
igneous rocks.
ACCESSOCRAFT
The Accessocraft Products
Corp. is a company that produces
costume jewelry, belts, buttons,
and other accesories in a
variety of styles. Accessocraft
was founded in 1935 in New
York, NY, USA.
ACROITE
Acroite is a rare, colorless
variety of tourmaline.
ACRYLIC
Acrylics are a type of thermoplastic,
and include transparent and
opaque in varied colors. Some
commonly-known acrylics are
lucite and plexiglas. The
bangle above is made of confetti
lucite.
ACROSTIC JEWELRY
A popular kind of jewelry
during the Victorian era where
the first letter of the name
of each stone spells out a
word. See Regard.
ADAMANTINE
Adamantine means having a
luster like that of a diamond.
ADULARIA
Adularia is a common type
of moonstone, a whitish-bluish
semi-translucent stone. Adularia
is usually set as a cabochon.
Adularia was very popular
early in the 20th century
and was extensively used in
Art Nouveau jewelry. Adularia
has a hardness of 6 and a
specific gravity of 2.57.
ADVENTURINE
Adventurine is a misspelling
of aventurine (and sometimes
known as goldstone) is a shimmering
quartz
stone that ranges in color
from yellow to red to light
green to light brown. The
shimmer is caused by tiny
metallic particles (mica)
within the stone.
AFRICAN EMERALD
African emerald is a misnomer
for green fluorspar that is
mined in South Africa; it
is not an emerald at all.
AFRICAN JADE
African jade (also called
Transvaal jade) is a misnomer
for massive green grossular
garnet that is mined in South
Africa; it is not jade, but
does look like jade. It can
be light green, white, or
pink.
AGATE
Agate is a variety of chalcedony
(a family of microcrystalline
quartz). Agate is a very common
stone that is often used in
jewelry. It is found in a
wide range of colors, including
black, gray, brown, reddish,
green, pink, blue, and yellow.
Agate can be flecked with
color and is often banded,
exhibiting layers of quartz.
Agate is porous and takes
dye easily; it is frequently
dyed to enhance the coloration
and the banding. White agate
was used often in Victorian
jewelry, mostly as a background.
Moss agate has green, red
or black dendritic inclusions.
Onyx is agate whose bands
are parallel. Eye agate has
banding arranged in concentric
circles. Agate has a hardness
of 6.5 to 7 and a specific
gravity of 2.6. The agate
pin above is from Miracle.
AGENT
A businessman who acts for,
or in the place of, another
to buy or sell merchandise
in exchange for a commission.
Also called a"Broker"
or a "middleman".
AIGRETTE
An aigrette (meaning "egret"
in French) is a feather-shaped
piece of jewelry that is worn
in the hair or on a hat.
ALABASTER
A form of the mineral
gypsum which is usually white
or grey in color. It is often
used in sculpture, stone paneling,
beads, and cabochons.
ALEXANDRITE
Alexandrite is a mineral (a
type of chrysoberyl) that
appears to be different colors
depending on whether it is
viewed in natural or artificial
light. Alexandrite appears
to be red when seen in candle
light and blue to green when
seen in fluorescent light.
Alexandrite was discovered
on the birthday of the Russian
Czar Alexander II, and it
was named in his honor. Alexandrite
is mined in Russia, Brazil,
Burma, Ceylon, and Rhodesia.
Laboratory-produced alexandrite
is common, and it is often
sold as natural alexandrite.
Alexandrite has a hardness
of 8.5 and a specific gravity
of 3.64-3.74.
ALEXANDRITE EFFECT
The "Alexandrite Effect" is
a phenomenon in which a stone
appears to be different colors
depending upon the type of
light it is viewed in. For
example, the stone alexandrite
appears to be red when seen
in candle light and blue to
green when seen in fluorescent
light. Many other stones exhibit
the "Alexandrite Effect,"
including garnet and sapphire.
ALICE
Alice is a costume jewelry
mark used by the Alice Jewelry
Company of Providence, Rhode
Island. The Alice mark was
first used around May, 1950.
Alice pieces are relatively
rare. They are NOT made by
Alice Caviness. The intricate
Alice earring above is gold-plated
with enamel and tiny pearls.
ALLOCHROITE
A dark colored common
garnet composed of iron lime.
ALLOY
An alloy is a combination
of two or more metals. Common
alloys used in jewelry are:
gold under 24 Kt (mixed with
silver, copper, and/or other
metals), sterling silver (92.5%
silver, 7.5% copper), brass
(roughly half copper, half
zinc), bronze (at least 60%
copper with tin and perhaps
other metals), and pewter
(tin, lead, antimony, and
a bit of silver or copper).
ALMANDINE
Almandine is a type of violet-tinged
variety of garnet that ranges
in color from deep red to
reddish-brown. Almandine is
the most common kind of garnet.
Star garnets are almandines
that exhibit an asterism.
Almandine has a hardness of
7.5 and a specific gravity
of 3.85-4.20.
ALPACA
Alpaca (also spelled alpacca)
is an alloy consisting of
mostly copper (roughly 60
percent), and approximately
20 percent nickel, about 20
percent zinc, and about 5
percent tin. This metal is
a a silver substitute.
ALUMINA
(also called aluminum oxide).
A compound of two parts aluminum
and three parts oxygen which
occurs naturally as corundum.
Alumina is the base of aluminous
salts, a constituent of feldspars,
micas, etc., and the characterizing
ingredient of common clay,
in which it exists as an impure
silicate with water, resulting
from the erosion of other
aluminous minerals. In a hydrated
form it is bauxite. Alumina
is used in aluminum production
and in abrasives, refractories,
ceramics, and electrical insulation.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum is a lightweight,
silver-white metal. When aluminum
was first discovered in the
18th century, it was more
valuable than gold. Now inexpensive,
aluminum is used in many alloys.
Some inexpensive jewelry was
made using aluminum.
AMERICAN RUBY
A poppy or blood-red colored
garnet composed of alumina
magnesia. It is used as a
gem. Sometimes called an "American
Ruby", "Australian
Ruby", "Arizona
Ruby", or "Bohemian
garnet".
AMAZONITE
Amazonite is an iridescent
stone that ranges in color
from green to blue-green.
Its composition is potassium
aluminosilicate (KAlSi3O8),
and is a type of feldspar
(a green variety of microcline).
Amazonite is usually set as
a cabochon (since it breaks
easily if faceted). This mineral
was named for the Amazon River,
where it was first thought
to be found in the middle
1800s (the mineral found in
the Amazon was actually a
form of jadeite). Amazonite
is also found in the Ural
Mountains of Russia, in Colorado
and Virginia, USA, Russia,
Australia, and Africa. Amazonite
has a hardness of 6 and a
specific gravity of 2.56-2.58.
Most Amazonite is opaque,
but rare crystals are transparent.
AMBER
Amber is translucent fossilized
tree resin (from conifers),
a natural hydrocarbon that
comes in many colors, including
yellow, reddish, whitish,
black, and blue. Amber is
flammable. Rubbing amber produces
static electricity. The word
electricity comes from the
Greek word for amber, "elektron."
It used to be thought that
amber possessed magical powers
that protected the wearer
from evil. Pressed amber consists
of small pieces of amber that
have been fused together to
form a larger piece. Fake
amber is easily made from
plastics, and buyers must
beware of cheap imitations
sold as natural amber. Amber
has a hardness of 2.5 and
a specific gravity of 1.05-1.10.
AMERICAN RUBY
The term "American ruby" is
actually a pyrope garnet (and
not a ruby at all). There
are real rubies found in the
US, but they are not referred
to as "American rubies."
AMETHYST
Amethyst (Greek for "not
drunken") is a form of
the mineral quartz, and is
a relatively common gemstone.
Amethyst is usually purple,
but can range in color from
pale lavender to a very deep,
reddish purple to a milky
color to green. Deeper-colored
amethysts are more highly
valued. The ancient Greeks
believed that amethyst made
one immune to the effects
of alcohol. Synthetic amethysts
are hard to distinguish from
the real stone.
AMETRINE
Ametrine is a variety of quartz,
a mixture of amethyst and
citrine. Ametrine is partially
purple and partially orange-yellow.
AMMOLITE
Ammolite (also known as korite,
calcentine, or Buffalo Stone.)
is a fossilized, opalized
ammonite shell used as a gemstone
(it is the shell of the ammonite,
a fossilized marine animal,
a cephalopod). It is a gray,
iridescent stone with flashes
of green, red, yellow, blue
or purple (blues and purples
are rare); the color changes
as the stone is turned. Ammolite
has a hardness of about 4
(it is very brittle before
it is treated) and a specific
gravity of 2.8. Ammolite is
usually treated with a colorless,
hard material to increase
the strength of the stone
and is often mounted as a
doublet or a triplet (with
a quartz top layer and a shale
underside). Ammolite is only
found in southern Alberta,
Canada.
AMORPHOUS
Amorphous means without form.
An amorphous gem, like jet,
amber, or ivory, does not
have a regular internal structure,
like those gems that fall
within the seven crystal systems.
AMPHIBOLE
A common mineral composed
of silicate of magnesium and
calcium, (with usually aluminum
and iron), which occurs in
monoclinic crystals and comes
in many varieties, each varying
in color and in composition.
The color varies from white
to gray, green, brown, and
black. Jade is a form of Amphibole.
AMULET
An amulet is a protective
charm that is worn (like a
bulla). It is worn in the
hope of protecting the wearer
from evil or illness or to
bring the wearer good luck.
The amulet above is turquoise
with carved inscriptions,
set in gold.
ANDRADITE
A garnet used as a gemstone
of the grossular family consisting
of calcium iron silicate and
having any color ranging from
yellow and green to brown
and black.
ANGELITE
Angelite (CaSO4);
it is a pale blue variety
of calicium sulfate = anhydrate
(it is gypsum that has lost
water and crystallized). The
stone is quite brittle; crystals
are transparent to transluscent.
Angelite stone has a hardness
of 3 to 3.5 (quite soft) and
a specific gravity of 2.9
- 3.0.
ANGELSKIN CORAL
Angelskin coral is a pale
pink coral, from deep sea
coral. Angelskin coral is
one of the most valued colors
of coral (red is also highly
prized). Coral is an animal
that grows in colonies in
the ocean. Coral polyps secrete
a strong calcium structure
that is used in jewelry making.
Coral ranges in color from
pale pink (called angelskin
coral) to orange to red to
white. In jewelry making,
coral is either carved into
beads, cameos, or other forms,
or is left in its natural
branch-like form and just
polished. It used to be thought
that coral protected the wearer,
so it was a traditional gift
to children. Coral has a hardness
of about 3.5 and a specific
gravity of 2.6 to 2.7. Since
it is composed of calcium
carbonate, coral will effervesce
if touched with acid. Imitation
coral is made from glass,
porcelain, or plastic.
ANKLET
A bangle or bracelet worn
around the ankle instead of
the wrist. Anklets tend to
be slightly larger than bracelets.
ANNEALING
Annealing is the process of
heating a metal and then cooling
it to make it more workable.
As metal is worked (hammered,
rolled, etc.), stresses make
the metal brittle (the metal
molecules are pulled into
random structures during the
working). Annealing the metal
make the metal re-crystallize,
putting the molecules in an
orderly structure. The temperature
(and amount of time it takes)
for annealing a metal depends
on what metal or alloy it
is. Large pieces are annealed
in an annealing oven; small
pieces are annealed using
a blow-torch.
Anniversaries
The chart below lists the
most recognized traditional
gifts and jewelry used to
commemorate wedding anniversaries:
YEAR |
TRADITIONAL |
|
JEWELRY |
1 |
Paper,
clocks |
|
Gold |
2 |
Cotton,
china |
|
garnet |
3 |
Leather,
crystal |
|
Pearl |
4 |
Linen
or silk |
|
Blue
Topaz |
5 |
Wood,
silverware |
|
Sapphire |
6 |
iron,
wood |
|
Amethyst |
7 |
Wool
or copper, desk sets |
|
Onyx |
8 |
Bronze |
|
Tourmaline |
9 |
Pottery
or china |
|
Lapis |
10 |
Tin
or aluminum |
|
diamond |
11 |
Steel |
|
Turquoise |
12 |
Silk |
|
Pearls,
colored gems |
13 |
Lace |
|
Citrine |
14 |
Ivory |
|
Opal,
Gold jewelry |
15 |
Crystal |
|
Ruby,
watches |
20 |
China |
|
emerald,
platinum |
25 |
Silver |
|
Sterling
silver |
30 |
Pearl |
|
diamond |
35 |
Jade |
|
Jade,
Emerald |
40 |
Ruby |
|
Ruby |
45 |
Sapphire |
|
Sapphire |
50 |
Gold |
|
Gold |
55 |
Emerald |
|
Emerald |
60 |
Diamond |
|
Diamond |
ANODIZED
Anodized metal has been through
an electrochemical process
which changes the molecular
structure of the surface layer,
giving it a thin, protective
film. In the anodization process,
the metal is placed in an
acid bath (at the "anode"
or positive end of the electrical
circuit) and an electrical
current is passed through
the tank. This process causes
a controlled oxidation of
the metal's surface to occur
(oxygen atoms bond to surface
atoms of the metal). Aluminum
is often anodized, as is magnesium,
titanium, and tantalum. Anodized
metal has a lustrous sheen;
the anodizing process can
produce colorful surfaces.
ANTIQUE JEWELRY
Jewelry made more than
100 years ago.
ANTIQUED
Jewelry that has been
made to look aged, having
a darkened or tarnished appearance.
ANTIQUING
Darkening the recessed areas
of gold or silver jewelry
to enhance the visibility
of engraving.
ANULUS PRONUBUS
A tradition dating back to
as early as ancient Rome where
it was called an anulus pronubus,
a betrothal ring is usually
a plain ring without a stone
presented by a man to his
fianc?e indicating their intention
to marry.
APACHE TEARS
Apache tears (a type of obsidian)
is a volcanic glass that is
usually black, but is occasionally
red, brown, gray, green (rare),
dark with "snowflakes," or
even clear. This glassy, lustrous
form of obsidian is found
in lava flows in the southwest
USA. Obsidian is formed when
viscous lava (from volcanos)
cools rapidly. Most obsidian
is 70 percent silica. Obsidian
has a hardness of 5 and a
specific gravity of 2.35.
The pin above is mahogany
(brown) obsidian.
APATITE
Apatite (calcium phosphate)
is a clear to opaque stone
that comes in many colors,
including green, yellow, blue,
violet, and yellow-green (called
asparagus stone). Some apatite
stones show a cat's eye asterism.
This stone is rarely used
in jewelry because it is brittle
and soft. Apatite comes from
the Greek word for "deceit,"
because it was easily confused
with other minerals. Apatite
has a hardness of 5 and a
specific gravity of 3.15-3.22.
APPLIQUE
An ornamental object which
was produced separately and
then applied to a piece of
jewelry.
APPLE JUICE
Apple juice plastic is a translucent,
golden yellow plastic is the
color of apple juice. The
bangle above is reverse-carved
and painted in the areas that
are carved.
AQUA AURA
Aqua aura is a beautiful iridescent
bluish to clear stone that
is made by coating clear quartz
that with a fine layer of
gold (or aluminium or copper).
In a process called called
vapor deposition, the quartz
is put into a vacuum chamber
and attached to very hot electrodes.
A thin layer of the metal
(only a micron or two thick)
coats the quartz as the metal
evaporates.
AQUAMARINE
Aquamarine is a transparent,
light blue or sea-green stone
that is porous. Today, blue
aquamarines are more highly
valued, but this was not true
in the past, when sea-green
stones were prized. Heat-treatment
turns greenish stones bluer.
The best aquamarines come
from Brazil. Large aquamarines
are relatively common. Aquamarines
are usually faceted but when
they are cabochon cut, a cat's
eye effect or asterism may
appear. Aquamarines belong
to the beryl family of stones.
Aquamarine has a hardness
of 7.5-8 and a specific gravity
of 2.65-2.85.
AQUA REGIA
Aqua regia is a 3:1 mixture
of hydrochloric acid and nitric
acid. Aqua regia is used to
test gold and platinum; it
is one of the few substances
that can dissolve gold and
platinum.
ARAGONITE
Aragonite is a mineral that
is rarely used for jewelry.
It is transparent to translucent
and can range in color from
honey-colored to pale reds,
blues and greens to clear
or white. It forms hexagonal
crystals, pyramidal crystals,
chisel shaped crystals, and
other shapes. Aragonite has
a hardness of 3.5-4 (relatively
soft) and a specific gravity
of 2.9 g/cm3.(average).
Its chemical composition is
CaCO3 (it is a
form of Calcium Carbonate).
Aragonite is named for Aragon,
Spain, where it was first
found in 1790. Aragonite is
also found in many other European,
North African, and some North
American locations.
ARCADE SETTING
An arcade setting (also called
coronet or châton setting)
is one in which the stone
is held in by many metal claws
around a metal ring.
ARCTIC OPAL
Arctic opal is a blue-green
stone that is a mixture of
azuritea and malachite; it
is not a type of opal at all.
Arctic opal is mined in the
Wrangle Mountains and the
Chugach Mountains of Alaska,
USA (near Anchorage).
ARIZONA RUBY
An Arizona ruby is actually
a pyrope garnet (and not a
ruby at all).
ARIZONA SPINEL
An Arizona spinel is actually
a garnet (and not a spinel
at all).
ARKANSAS DIAMOND
An Arkansas diamond is actually
a rock crystal (and not a
diamond at all).
ARKANSAS STONE
Arkansas stone is an abrasive
used in jewelry making. It
is used to smooth metals.
ART
Art (also called ModeArt)
was costume jewelry produced
by Art Mode Jewelry Creations
Inc. It was in business from
the 1940's until the late
1960's. Their medium- to high-quality
pieces included figurals,
Victorian replicas, and many
different styles. The beautiful
Art pin above has delicate
enamel work, blue and green
cabachon plastic moonstones,
tiny, clear rhinestones, a
dangle, and a Florentine finish.
ART DECO
Art Deco was a style popular
from the mid-1910's until
the mid-1920's. This style
originated in Paris, France.
Art Deco pieces are characterized
by geometric lines and angles,
with very few curves. This
art movement eventually became
bolder and evolved into Art
Moderne.
ART NOUVEAU
Art Nouveau was a style popular
from roughly 1895 until World
War I. Art Nouveau pieces
are characterized by curves
and naturalistic designs,
especially depicting long-haired,
sensual women. Louis Comfort
Tiffany made archetypal Art
Nouveau pieces.
ARTICULATED
Jewelry constructed with hinges
to make it flexible.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Arts and Crafts was an artistic
movement that produced hand-crafted
pieces toward the end of the
1800's. Pieces purposely look
hand-made, incorporating hammer
marks and simple cabochon
settings. The Arts and Crafts
movement also revived the
art of enamel. A prominent
Arts and Crafts jeweller was
C.R. Ashbee (1863-1942); Ashbee
founded The Guild of Handicraft
in 1888. Other important Arts
and Crafts jewelers included
Arthur Gaskin (1862-1928),
Georgina Gaskin (1868-1934,
Arthur's wife), Fred T. Partridge,
John Paul Cooper (1869-1933),
Bernard Cuzner (1877-1956),
Henry Wilson (1864-1934),
Alexander Fisher (1864-1936),
and Edgar Simpson.
ASPARAGUS STONE
A yellow-green form of Apatite.
ASSAY
An assay is a test of the
purity of an alloy. A tiny
piece of metal is scraped
from the piece and the percentage
of gold or silver is determined.
Official assay offices determine
whether a piece qualifies
for an appropriate hallmark.
ASSCHER, JOSEPH
Joseph Asscher was an eminent
diamond cutter who cut the
3,106 carat Cullinan diamond.
Asscher worked in Amsterdam.
In 1902, his company, the
Asscher Diamond Co., developed
and patented the Asscher cut,
a squarish step cut with an
almost octagonal outline.
This new cut enhanced the
fire and light of the stone;
it had a small table, a high
crown, wide step facets, a
deep pavilion and square culet.
This cut became very popular
in Art Deco jewelry and was
a forerunner of the emerald
cut. Recently, the Royal Asscher
Diamond Co. resumed production
of the original Asscher cut
diamonds.
ASSCHER CUT
A squarish step cut with an
almost octagonal outline which
enhances the fire and light
of the stone. It features
a small table, a high crown,
wide step facets, a deep pavilion
and square culet. This cut
became very popular in Art
Deco jewelry and was a forerunner
of the emerald cut.
ASTERISM
An asterism is a star-like
luminous effect that reflects
light in some gemstones, like
star sapphires and star garnets.
ATW
Stands for the Approximate
Total Weight,
in carats, of a gemstone.
AURORA BOREALIS
Aurora borealis (meaning "northern
lights") rhinestones have
a special iridescent finish
that shines with many colors.
The iridescent surface is
a result of a very thin layer
of metallic atoms that have
been deposited on the lower
surface of the stone. This
process was invented in 1955
by the Swarovski company together
with Christian Dior.
AUSTRALIAN CRYSTAL
Trade name for lead crystal
cut with precise edges and
angles at the Swarovski factory,
located in Wattens in the
Austrian Tyrols, by a glass-cutting
machine invented by Daniel
Swarovski in 1895. Austrian
crystals are known for their
quality, brilliance, and clarity.
AUSTRALIAN RUBY
An Australian ruby is actually
a pyrope garnet (and not a
ruby at all).
AVENTURINE
Aventurine (sometimes known
as goldstone and sometimes
mis-spelled adventurine) is
a shimmering quartz stone
that ranges in color from
yellow to red to light green
to light brown. The shimmer
is caused by tiny metallic
particles (mica) within the
stone.
AVENTURINE FELDSPAR
Aventurine feldspar is also
called Sunstone (a variety
of oligoclase). This gemstone
varies from golden to orange
to red-brown, and can be transparent
or translucent. Sunstone is
metallic-looking due to sparkling
red, orange or green crystalline
inclusions (these are hematite
or goethite crystals). Sunstone
is found in Canada, the USA
(in Oregon), India, Norway,
and Russia. This brittle stone
has a hardness of 6 and a
specific gravity of 2.63 -
2.67. Sunstone is not enhanced.
AVENTURINE GLASS
Aventurine glass (sometimes
spelled adventurine glass)
is a shimmering glass that
contains tiny metallic particles
(copper flakes) within it.
The process of making aventurine
glass was invented in Venice,
Italy, around 1700.
AVENTURINE QUARTZ
Aventurine quartz is a type
of quartz that has sparkling
flecks (includions) of mica
or iron. This colors of this
stone include red-brown, yellow,
gray, and green. Aventurine
quartz has a hardness of 7
and a specific gravity of
2.64-2.69. This stone is usually
cut with a flat or rounded
surface to maximize its sparkle.
Aventurine quartz is found
in India, Russia, and Tanzania.
AVON
The Avon cosmetics company
also produced many lines of
jewelry, beginning in the
1970's. Avon jewelry includes
figurals, perfume-holding
pins, watches, and standard
items of costume jewelry.
The quality of these pieces
ranges from cheaply-made to
very good; they were produced
in large quantities. Many
people collect Avon items.
The Avon flower pin above
has a faux coral flower.
AWABI PEARL
The Japanese name for abalone
pearls is Awabi pearls.
AXINITE
Axinite is an unusual, lustrous
stone that is brown, yellow,
blue, green or gray. Violet
axinite is rare (and from
Tasmania). It has both transparent
and translucent varieties.
Axinite is dichroic. Axinite
has a hardness of 7 and a
specific gravity of 3.3. Axinite
is a boro-silicate of aluminum
and calcium. It is used only
as a mineral specimen and
not in jewelry.
AXIS OF SYMMETRY
An axis of symmetry (also
called a rotational axis)
is an imaginary line around
which an object can be rotated
a certain number of degrees
and look like the original
shape. When two planes of
symmetry intersect, they form
a straight line, which is
an axis of symmetry. See more
in the entry on crystal systems
AZURITE
Azurite is a beautiful copper-based
blue mineral that is often
used in jewelry. The color
ranges from very deep blue
to pale blue. Azurite has
also been used as a dye for
paints and luxury fabrics.
Azurite is hydrated copper
carbonate; its chemical formula
is Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2.
Malachite (another copper-based
mineral) and azurite are often
found together. Azurite has
a hardness of 3.5 to 4 (relatively
soft) and a specific gravity
of 3.7 to 3.9. Azurite is
found in massive monoclinic
crystals in Australia the
southwestern USA, France,
Mexico, Morocco, Nambia, Zaire,
and Europe. Azurite is sometimes
coated with a colorless wax
or impregnated with plastic
in order to enhance the color
and increase the hardness.
AZURITE MALACHITE
Malachite is often found
in the same mineral deposits
as azurite. Azurite Malachite
is simply a mineral which
contains both forms of stone
and has bands of light and
dark blue. 
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