Raw Stones
303 pieces
Tumbled Stones
202 pieces
Palm Stones
37 pieces
Crystal Points
38 pieces
Clusters & Geodes
61 pieces
Polished & Decor
146 pieces
Mineral Specimens
130 collector pieces
Crystal Chips
22 pieces
Browse everything
Every collection, one page.
View All Collections →
Aries
Mar 21 – Apr 19
Carnelian
›
Taurus
Apr 20 – May 20
Rose Quartz
›
Gemini
May 21 – Jun 20
Agate
›
Cancer
Jun 21 – Jul 22
Moonstone
›
Leo
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Citrine
›
Virgo
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Amazonite
›
Libra
Sep 23 – Oct 22
Blue Lace Agate
›
Scorpio
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Obsidian
›
Sagittarius
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Sodalite
›
Capricorn
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Black Tourmaline
›
Aquarius
Jan 20 – Feb 18
Amethyst
›
Pisces
Feb 19 – Mar 20
Aquamarine
›
Gifting?
A birthday stone is the safe bet.
Read the zodiac guide →
Linarite
Linarite is sulfates, PbCu(SO4)(OH)2. In the hand, it rates 2.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs deep azure blue and electric royal blue. Intense azure-blue micro blades that rival azurite's color but streak pale blue, are very soft, and feel heavy thanks to lead.
The geology.
Linarite carries the formula PbCu(SO4)(OH)2. It belongs to the monoclinic system. Catalogues list it as sulfates.
It sits at 2.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads vitreous to subadamantine. Light behaviour is transparent to translucent. Specific gravity runs 5.3 to 5.5. The streak is pale blue. It breaks with perfect cleavage; conchoidal fracture.
Intense azure-blue micro blades that rival azurite's color but streak pale blue, are very soft, and feel heavy thanks to lead.
It reaches buyers as small bladed crystals, crusts and sprays on matrix or micromount specimens.
The origins.
Oxidized lead-copper deposits: Linares (Spain, type), Grand Reef and Mammoth-Saint Anthony (Arizona, USA), Red Gill (England), Greece.
On value, the database notes: collector mineral; rich blue Arizona or Spanish pieces are prized micromounts.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, associated with clear self-expression and bridging emotion with logic.
We keep this section because people ask. It sits below the geology on purpose, and none of it describes something the stone does.
Spotting the real thing.
Intense azure-blue micro blades that rival azurite's color but streak pale blue, are very soft, and feel heavy thanks to lead.
Azurite sold as linarite (and vice versa) is the classic mix-up; the acid fizz test settles it.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Azurite | Azurite streaks deeper blue and fizzes in dilute acid; linarite does not fizz and streaks paler |
| Blue caledonite | Caledonite leans greenish blue; the two often grow together, color tone is the field clue |
| Painted/dyed crust | Real linarite blades are gemmy and angular under a loupe, not powdery coating |
At-home tests.
Before anyone talks you into a lab report, these are the checks worth doing yourself on linarite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| Acid check | No fizz with cold dilute acid (azurite fizzes) |
| By eye | Very soft (2.5), fingernail-marginal |
| By eye | High density for a blue crust mineral |
Destructive tests belong to a gemologist, not a kitchen table. If a piece matters to you, pay for an appraisal before you take a file to it.
Care & handling.
At 2.5 on the Mohs scale this is a soft material. Keep it as a display piece, store it apart from harder stones, and skip daily-wear settings.
It breaks with perfect cleavage; conchoidal fracture, which is worth knowing before you set it or drop it.
Clean it by hand, dry it properly, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners and hot steam.
Contains lead and copper: wash hands after handling, no elixirs.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is PbCu(SO4)(OH)2. Crystal system: Monoclinic. Specific gravity: 5.3 to 5.5. Streak: Pale blue. Cleavage and fracture: Perfect cleavage; conchoidal fracture.
How it reaches the market
Oxidized lead-copper deposits: Linares (Spain, type), Grand Reef and Mammoth-Saint Anthony (Arizona, USA), Red Gill (England), Greece.
What it gets confused with
Azurite: Azurite streaks deeper blue and fizzes in dilute acid; linarite does not fizz and streaks paler. Blue caledonite: Caledonite leans greenish blue; the two often grow together, color tone is the field clue. Painted/dyed crust: Real linarite blades are gemmy and angular under a loupe, not powdery coating.
What it is worth
Collector mineral; rich blue Arizona or Spanish pieces are prized micromounts.
Where buyers get caught
Azurite sold as linarite (and vice versa) is the classic mix-up; the acid fizz test settles it.
One more thing
Linarite's blue is so saturated that micromounters call great specimens 'electric'; most of the world's best pieces are under five centimeters.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock linarite. Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
Explore the Crystal Guide