Azurite

This specimen features a cluster of royal blue, equant to wedge-like rhomboidal crystals resting on matrix. Bisbee, Arizona, was established in 1880 as a mining town focused on copper, gold, and silver extraction. The early 20th century saw a significant population boom, with the town being incorporated in 1902 and reaching a population of 9,019 by 1910. In 1917, the introduction of open-pit mining allowed the town to meet the growing demand for copper during World War I.

For a deeper dive into the rich history of Bisbee, check out the blog post David Joyce wrote about the town by clicking here.