Lazurite

Lazurite

By Tim Matthews, JD, FGA, GG, DGA,
CEO and President of JTV (retired)
Published: June 2014
Modified: November 2021
Lazurite Rough

Lazurite is a richly colored blue mineral primarily seen in cabochon gems or carvings. 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.

General Information

Common Name
Lazurite
Species
Lazurite
Transparency
Translucent - Opaque
Dispersion
Strength: None
Refractive Index
1.500-1.522
Polariscope Reaction
Aggregate (AGG), Singly Refractive (SR)
Fluorescence
SWUV: Inert to orange or blue
LWUV: Inert to yellow, white or blue
CCF Reaction
None
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
5-5.5
Streak
Bright Blue Sometimes White
Specific Gravity
2.380-2.450
Toughness
Poor
Inclusions
Lazurite commonly has white calcite and brassy pyrite inclusions.
Luster
Vitreous, Dull
Fracture
Uneven
Cleavage
Poor
Chemical Name
Sodium calcium aluminum silicate with sulfur
Chemical Formula
Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(SO4,S3,S2,ClOH)2
Crystal System
Cubic
Chemistry Classification
Silicate

Lazurite Colors

  • Blue Lazurite
    Blue
  • Blue Lazurite
    Blue

Countries of Origin

Myanmar; Afghanistan; Russian Federation; Unknown; United States of America; Chile; Tajikistan

History

Lazurite gets its name from the Arabic word "Lazaward" which means heaven.

Care

Lazurite is brittle so take care when handling it.