Azurite

This small cabinet-sized specimen features a striking display of deep blue, velvety azurite "pompom" ball formations nestled all throughout an oxidized matrix. It is an excellent example of secondary copper mineralization from the famed Bisbee mining district in southern Arizona.

Bisbee is among the most celebrated mineral localities in the United States, renowned for its exceptional azurite specimens and a rich diversity of secondary copper minerals. Established in 1880 as a mining town focused on copper, gold, and silver extraction, Bisbee experienced rapid growth in the early 20th century. By 1910, its population surpassed 9,000, and with the introduction of open-pit mining in 1917, the town played a key role in meeting the rising demand for copper during World War I.

For more on Bisbee’s mineralogical and historical significance, see the blog post by David Joyce [here].