I came across this beautiful sphere while at the show in Springfield this past summer.  I was immediately drawn to it!  I've been enjoying its beauty since then, but alas, I can't keep them all.  So I started doing a little bit of background research into azurite spheres.  I was surprised by what I found.  Most of the azurite spheres on the market today aren't actually azurite!  They are reconstituted from the leftover malachite dust and tiny little chunks of lapis lazuli.  Yes, that's right.  Lapis lazuli.  I've said this over and over, but it bears repeating.  Beware of what minerals you buy from the Chinese.  They are very skillful at producing real looking specimens inexpensively.  I only buy Chinese minerals from dealers that I've known for years, and I recommend that you only buy Chinese minerals from dealers you trust.

I'll step down off my soap box now.  ;-)   I also found that what natural azurite spheres are available on the market are pallid looking things with tiny amounts of actual azurite in a mostly white matrix.

 Anyway, this gorgeous, solid, and genuine azurite sphere is from Peru.  It's been hand polished, so it's not perfectly round.  But that makes it more special to me because someone put their love and energy into this gorgeous sphere.  For its small size, there is a surprising amount of electric blue azurite with threads of pale green malachite running through the white matrix.  Azurite carries a very high vibration that is very stimulating to the third eye chakra. It is very beneficial for stimulating one's intellect, for strengthening the astral and etheric bodies, and for enhancing one's intuitive abilities. Its color ranges from very pale blue to deep blue and its name is actually derived from its gorgeous azure blue color. 

Because azurite is a copper ore derivative, I do not recommend placing this piece in water for any reason, be it clearing, charging, or making an elixir.

The sphere measures 1.5" in diameter and weighs 3oz.

Azurite is very soothing and calming for the emotions. You can use the smaller nodules on your closed eyes to sooth and sharpen them. It is a very inspirational stone indeed! It is very good for artists, authors and other such careers. It can be used to balance the electrochemical system of the body and provide a flow of energy from the 3rd eye to the heart chakras. It is a copper based mineral which often combines with Malachite and or Chrysocolla.