Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (2024)

Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (1)

Lazurite is famous for its gem form, Lapis Lazuli. Lapis Lazuli, casually called by its shortened name Lapis, is the gemstone form of Lazurite that is associated with white Calcite and sparkling Pyrite. The name Lazurite is derived from the term "Lazaward", which means heaven in Arabic, alluding to its blue color.

Lazurite occurs almost exclusively in massive form without any visible crystals. The exception is the historic occurrence of Afghanistan, where this mineral is famous and highly regarded for producing outstanding rich-blue crystals unlike any other minerals. These crystals, almost always perched in a white marble matrix, are highly sought out after by mineral collectors. When not used as gemstones, the non-crystallized forms are often polished for collectors and may also be sliced into slabs.

Lazurite forms a solid solutionseries with Hauyne, essentially sharing the same chemical formula but with a variation of the sulfide over the sulfate. Lazurite has the sulfide dominating, whereasHauyne has the sulfate dominating. Much of the known Lazurite material is actually sulfate-dominating, which means it is in fact Hauyne and not Lazurite. This is especially true at the most famous locality of Lazurite at Sar-e-Sang in the Kokcha Valley of Afghanistan, where all the Lazurite has in fact been determined to be Hauyne. Despite this, the mineral community still accepts this material as Lazurite despite the scientific inaccuracy. It has become accepted to refer to the opaque, non-fluorescent, ultramarine-blue material as Lazurite, and all other material, especially when exhibiting transparency, as Hauyne.

Chemical Formula Na6Ca2Al6Si6O24S2
Composition Sodium calcium aluminum silicate with sulfur
Variable Formula (Na,Ca)4-8Al6Si6O24(S,SO4)1-2
Color Light to deep blue, greenish-blue, violet-blue.
Streak Blue
Hardness 5-5.5
Crystal System Isometric

3D Crystal Atlas
(Click for animated model)

Crystal Forms and Aggregates Most often massive, grainy, encrusting, and in veins. Crystals, which are rare, are dodecahedral and occasionally octahedral, and will sometimes have modified cubic faces. Crystals may be freestanding in a matrix, or intergrown into distorted groups. Crystals frequently have rounded faces. Occasionally forms as hexagonally-shaped pseudomorphs after mica.
Transparency Opaque. Occasionally translucent.
Specific Gravity 2.4-2.5
Luster Vitreous, greasy, or waxy; may also be dull.
Cleavage 3,6
Fracture Uneven
Tenacity Brittle
In Group Silicates; Tectosilicates; Feldspathoid Group
Striking Features Color, streak, and frequent association with Pyrite.
Environment In hornfels and metamorphosed limestones in contact metamorphic rocks.
Rock Type Metamorphic
Popularity (1-4) 2
Prevalence (1-3) 2
Demand (1-3) 1


Lazurite AUCTIONS
Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (5)
Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (6)

VARIETIES

Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (8)

Lapis Lazuli

-Deep blue gemstone composed chiefly of Lazurite, and usually also associated with white Calcite and sparking Pyrite. See the dedicated gemstone section on Lapis Lazuli for more information.



USES
Lapis Lazuli is a very popular opaque gemstone, and is used in various jewelry forms and ornate carvings. It is also an a historic gemstone, having been used in ancient jewelry for thousands of years.See the dedicated gemstone section on Lapis Lazuli.

Lazurite was also historically used a deep blue pigment, under the name "ultramarine". Crystallized Lazurite specimens from Afghanistan are very high in demand being extremely popular among mineral collectors.


NOTEWORTHY LOCALITIES
Lazurite and Lapis Lazuli are best known from Badakshan Province, Afghanistan, where both the massive gem form and the coveted crystallized forms come from. The most well-known locality there is Sar-e Sang, Kokcha Valley, famous for its outstanding crystals.

Another important producer of Lazurite is Russia, where it is found in the vicinity of Slyudyanka, near the southern area of Lake Baikal. Other worldwide localities include San Vito, Monte Somma, Vesuvius, Italy; and the Cazadero river, near Ovalle, Chile.

Lazurite is not common in the U.S. Localities include Cascade Canyon, in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino Co., California; Italian Mountain, in the Sawatch Mountains, Gunnison Co., Colorado; and Balmat, St. Lawrence Co., New York.


COMMON MINERAL ASSOCIATIONS
Calcite, Pyrite, Diopside, Muscovite, Forsterite

DISTINGUISHING SIMILAR MINERALS
Sodalite - Has a white streak, not usually associated with Pyrite.
Lazulite - Different crystal habit, has a white streak and higher specific gravity.
Afghanite - Forms in different crystals; has white streak and perfect cleavage.
lazurite PHOTOS











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Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (24)
Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (25)
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Lazurite: The blue mineral lazurite: lapis information and pictures (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between lazurite and lapis lazuli? ›

Lazurite is the essential ingredient of lapis lazuli and is the mineral that gives it the blue color. The best quality material contains less calcite and pyrite. Lazurite is a sodium, calcium, aluminosilicate mineral that contains sulfur: the color is due to a charge transfer between sulfur atoms.

What is the use of lazurite mineral? ›

Lazurite was first described in 1890 for an occurrence in the Sar-e-Sang District, Koksha Valley, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. It has been mined for more than 6,000 years in the lapis lazuli district of Badakhshan. It has been used as a pigment in painting and cloth dyeing since at least the 6th or 7th century.

What is blue lapis lazuli used for? ›

The stone was prized for its intense blue color, reminiscent of the heavens, and was used in jewelry, decorative art, and religious ceremonies. Lapis Lazuli was also considered a symbol of royalty and power, often adorning the burial masks of pharaohs and emperors.

What is lazurite good for? ›

Metaphysical Properties

Lazurite is the perfect crystal for the spiritual traveller, moving onwards in the direction of a being of light. Lazurite expands awareness and enhances memory. Lazurite allows for the space needed to reflect on that which one has assimilated thus far, in this life, past lives and future lives.

Is lazurite rare or common? ›

Lazurite is a major component of lapis lazuli, giving the stone its brilliant blue color. Lazurite crystals are rare, as the gem is most commonly found in massive form and rarely as well-formed crystals.

What is another name for lazurite? ›

Notes
Pigment Names
Common Names:English: ultramarine (natural) French: outremer (lapis) German: Ultramarin (echt) Italian: oltremare (geuino) Spanish: ultramarino (verdadero)
Nomenclature:Common Name Primary Mineral Sources Lazurite (Lapis Lazuli) Lazurite Afghanistan
1 more row

Can lazurite get wet? ›

#4.

Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful blue stone. It contains calcite and pyrite, which can be damaged by water. Water can cause Lapis Lazuli to lose its color and luster. Keeping it dry preserves its appearance and energy.

Is Lazulite a rare mineral? ›

Lazulite is a rare and beautiful phosphorous-based mineral. Its monetary value is based on its beauty and scarcity. As a cut stone it is relatively soft and can be scratched with a knife. Well-formed crystals of the gemstone occur in only a few places in the world.

Where is lazurite most commonly found? ›

Named after the Persian word lazhward, meaning “blue,” and in reference to its similarity to azurite. The formation of lazurite is a result of contact metamorphism of limestones and can be found in Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Italy, the United States, Canada, Burma, and Chile, among some others.

What is the secret of lapis lazuli? ›

Stimulates intellect, analytical abilities, problem solving, learning and memory. Encourages truthful communication, honesty and a total awareness; both a clear perspective of oneself and others motivations and of the connectivity of self to the universe.

How to tell if lapis lazuli is real? ›

Glass Artificial Lapis Lazuli has no gold specks although some top quality copies like Gilson Glass Lazuli does. Here the specks are too smooth and also too uniformly patterned to be real and the blue colour is to even. Real Lapis Lazuli will leave a blueish mark on a rough surface.

Should you sleep with lapis lazuli? ›

Lapis Lazuli is traditionally used to combat insomnia and is an excellent crystal for sleep.

What are the powers of lazurite? ›

Lazurite stimulates the third eye chakra, promoting intuitive abilities and psychic development, and is the perfect crystal for the spiritual traveler, moving onwards in the direction of a being of light.

What is the spiritual meaning of lazulite? ›

Lazulite is a highly heavenly spiritual stone. Its uplifting energies offer support, light, hope, and inspiration. Its powerful energy clears disturbances and brings meaning to life. This can help people on a spiritual journey who feel hopeless, despair, depressed, anxious, and lacking purpose.

What is another name for lazulite? ›

Most sources agree lazulite's name derives from the German word for 'blue stone' and the Arabic word for 'heaven,' alluding to the gem's distinct blue hues. Some people refer to lazulite as “azure spar” or “blue phosphate,” but the mineral doesn't have a lengthy roster of trade names like some other gems.

How do you identify lazurite? ›

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
  1. Color is brilliant blue with violet or greenish tints.
  2. Luster is dull to greasy.
  3. Transparency: Crystals are translucent to opaque.
  4. Crystal System: Isometric; bar 4 3/m.
  5. Crystal Habits: Dodecahedral crystals have been found, usually massive as a rock (lapis lazuli) forming mineral.

What is another name for lapis lazuli? ›

In the early Christian tradition lapis lazuli was regarded as the stone of Virgin Mary. In late classical times and as late as the Middle Ages, lapis lazuli was often called sapphire (sapphirus in Latin, sappir in Hebrew), though it had little to do with the stone today known as the blue corundum variety sapphire.

What does lazurite look like? ›

Lazurite - Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S,S2,S3,Cl,OH) Lazurite, member of the sodalite group, is the blue component of the "gemstone" (or, more usually, decorative rock) Lapis Lazuli, which is a lazurite-calcite-pyrite rock that has been mined as a gem material for some 9.000 years.

How can you tell if it's lapis lazuli? ›

Real lapis lazuli will remain cool to the touch, even after holding it for a while. Plastic imitations will never feel as cool and glass imitations will warm up quickly if you hold them in your hand. Additionally, rubbing the piece with acetone can determine its legitimacy.

References

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