Description

This mineral specimen comes from the Malbunka copper mines, located in the heart of Australia's Northern Territory, the only known locality in the world for this type of azurite formation.
The specimen displays a large "Sun" azurite rosette, characterized by a perfectly circular radial structure reminiscent of a solar disc. The surface of the rosette is composed of thousands of densely aggregated acicular crystals, with a silky texture and a velvety matte luster, typical of this variety. The color is a saturated, intense cobalt blue, beautifully contrasting with the white kaolinite.
The soft, porous clay matrix of kaolinite acts as both a natural and aesthetic support, enhancing the color of the rosette and giving stability to the entire piece. The flat shape of the rosette, combined with its large size and regularity, makes this specimen particularly rare and collectible.
This type of azurite is highly sought after by museums, expert collectors, and mineral galleries for its distinctive form and spectacular color. “Sun” rosettes are considered one of the most fascinating forms of secondary crystallization in copper deposits, and their presence on a complete matrix greatly increases both their aesthetic and scientific value.

Mineralogical details
Mineral name: Azurite
Crystal habit: Flat radial rosette ("Sun")
Matrix: White kaolinite
Locality: Malbunka Copper Mines, Areyonga, Northern Territory, Australia
Geological region: MacDonnell Ranges