Azurite in kaolinized silt stone
description: <p style="text-align: justify;">3 1/2" across <br /><br />LOCALITY: Malbunka copper mine, Areyonga, near Alice Springs, Northern Territory   <br /><br />The azurite disc is set in a contrasting matrix of bright white kaolinized siltstone. Traits which set this fine matrix specimen ahead of hundreds of others removed from this locality are as follows: <br /><br />(a) The azurite is of the most intense shade of blue that one could expect for this locality. <br /><br />(b) The azurite disc and the matrix are in a pleasing proportion to one and other. <br /><br />(c) The azurite disc is clearly circumscribed. <br /><br />Dr Ray Grant of Phoenix, Arizona is presently investigating whether or not azurite from this locality is of supergene origins.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">I bought this piece from Dehne McLaughlin at the Australian Gemborree when it was held in Bundaberg during the Easter long weekend in 2012.  </p> <p style="text-align: justify;"> </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Photo by Jeff Scovil  </p>