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 →
Lazurite
Lazurite is tectosilicate (feldspathoid, sodalite group), (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(SO₄,S,Cl)₂. In the hand, it rates 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, and it runs ultramarine blue and violet-blue. THE ultramarine mineral, the pure blue species that colors lapis lazuli; collector-grade pieces are sharp blue dodecahedra in white marble.
The geology.
Lazurite carries the formula (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(SO₄,S,Cl)₂. It belongs to the isometric system. On paper it is tectosilicate (feldspathoid, sodalite group).
It sits at 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. The surface reads dull to vitreous. Light behaviour is translucent to opaque. Specific gravity runs 2.38 to 2.45. The streak is bright blue. It breaks with imperfect cleavage; uneven fracture.
THE ultramarine mineral, the pure blue species that colors lapis lazuli; collector-grade pieces are sharp blue dodecahedra in white marble.
Expect to see it as rare dodecahedral crystals in marble or massive patches (the blue of lapis lazuli).
The origins.
Contact-metamorphosed limestones: Sar-e-Sang (Afghanistan, 6,000 years of mining), Lake Baikal (Russia), Chile.
On value, the database notes: massive material priced as lapis; euhedral crystals are collector prizes.
Traditional associations.
In energy work traditions, lazurite carries lapis lazuli's truth-and-wisdom associations in pure mineral form.
Recorded here because it is part of how this material is sold, not because it is a property of the material.
Spotting the real thing.
THE ultramarine mineral, the pure blue species that colors lapis lazuli; collector-grade pieces are sharp blue dodecahedra in white marble.
Sharp lazurite crystals command serious prices, beware dyed sodalite or painted marble 'crystals' online.
| Looks like | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Lapis lazuli | Lapis is the ROCK (lazurite + calcite + pyrite); lazurite is its pure blue mineral component |
| Sodalite | Sodalite is grayer blue with white veining and weaker streak color |
| Azurite | Azurite is a copper carbonate, denser, fizzes slowly in acid, darker navy |
At-home tests.
None of these need a lab. A 10x loupe, good daylight and a steady hand cover most of what a buyer needs to know about lazurite.
| Test | What you should see |
|---|---|
| By eye | Bright blue streak |
| Crystals | blue dodecahedra in white marble (Afghan classics) |
| By eye | Light in hand (SG ~2.4) |
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 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale it handles careful wear but scratches against quartz and dust. Store it separately and take rings off before rough work.
It breaks with imperfect cleavage; uneven 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.
A deeper look.
Extended detail on composition, sourcing, authentication and market value.
The physical record
The formula on record is (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(SO₄,S,Cl)₂. Crystal system: Isometric. Specific gravity: 2.38 to 2.45. Streak: Bright blue. Cleavage and fracture: Imperfect cleavage; uneven fracture.
How it reaches the market
Contact-metamorphosed limestones: Sar-e-Sang (Afghanistan, 6,000 years of mining), Lake Baikal (Russia), Chile.
What it gets confused with
Lapis lazuli: Lapis is the ROCK (lazurite + calcite + pyrite); lazurite is its pure blue mineral component. Sodalite: Sodalite is grayer blue with white veining and weaker streak color. Azurite: Azurite is a copper carbonate, denser, fizzes slowly in acid, darker navy.
What it is worth
Massive material priced as lapis; euhedral crystals are collector prizes.
Where buyers get caught
Sharp lazurite crystals command serious prices, beware dyed sodalite or painted marble 'crystals' online.
One more thing
Ground lazurite was Renaissance ultramarine, Vermeer went into debt buying a pigment worth more than gold.
An education-first guide.
We do not stock lazurite. Writing it up regardless is the point of a reference library.
Explore the Crystal Guide