the color results from low energy d-d transitions associated with the d⁹ metal center.

Weathering

Azurite is unstable in open air compared to malachite, and often is pseudomorphically replaced by malachite. This weathering process involves the replacement of some of the water (H₂O) units with carbon dioxide (CO₂), changing the carbonate:hydroxide ratio of azurite from 1:1 to the 1:2 ratio of malachite:

: 2 Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

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