Azurite is so-named because of its deep, azure-blue coloration. Known about since ancient times, azurite has historically been used to create a blue pigment. Examples of azurite-dyed ornaments, fabrics, and paintings dating back thousands of years have been found in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China. Occasionally, the stone is also cut and polished for jewelry (it resembles lapis lazuli), though it is very soft and brittle, so it's not used often for this purpose.