Azurite - precious mineral into paint pigment

The beautiful blue copper-bearing mineral Azurite is one of the most important pigments in traditional art. It was used extensively by the Egyptians and Medieval and pre-modern European painters. Known as Bleu bis, Mountain blue, Armenian stone and Azurro Della Magna. Replaced in more recent times by the artificial pigment Ultramarine Blue (​Sodium Aluminum Sulfosilicate). Painters interested in traditional processes seek to experience the qualities of the vitreous (glassy) mineral blues of Azurite and Lapis Lazuli. Daniel Mirante demonstrates a simple process by which Azurite can be transformed with home equipment into a useful pigment, using a technique called levigation, a method of purifying a mixture by sedimentation. The ground up particles are thoroughly mixed with water and then left to stand. The coarser particles will sink to the bottom while the water and any organic impurities will rise to the top and can be poured off. In the middle there will be a layer of especially fine particles suitable for paint-making.

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