Lazulite vs Lazurite: What Are They, And What’s The Difference?

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More often than not, people, especially those new to the gem world, mix up two or more rocks.

The confusion is understandable, especially when they bear a close resemblance and sometimes come from the same family.

The mix-up might worsen when stones have similar features but very close names like Lazulite and Lazurite.

We’ve done some in-depth research for you defining both gems, differentiating them, and figuring out why people mix them up.

Lazulite vs Lazurite: EXPLAINED

What is Lazulite?

The name “Lazulite” is a German derivative.

It stems from the word “Lazustein,” which signifies blue stone.

This mineral is made of phosphate.

It’s a monoclinic mineral that crystallizes in deep blue color and comes in hues from transparent to opaque. 

Its colors are greenish-blue, grayish-blue, light blue, sky-blue, and dark indigo to virtually black.

They might sometimes possess intertwined creamy or white veins or spots or have multiple-shade blue to blue-green.

Meanwhile, you’d describe translucent Lazulite is pleochroic.

Lazulite properties comprise a white streak, Streak, is translucent to opaque, a Specific Gravity of 3.0 – 3., vitreous to dull luster, 3,1 cleavage, an uneven fracture, and brittle tenacity.

You’ll typically find it in granular aggregates, but it can also form tabular crystals that are well twinned.

It has a hardness of 5.5 to 6 and a few cleavage directions that are difficult to see.

Quartz veins and metamorphic rocks like quartzite provide the foundation.

The contrast of blue lazulite and white quartz creates striking specimens. 

Crystals in the shape of wedges and vertical bipyramidal crystals are popular crystal tendencies.

The majority of crystals are tiny and embedded in a matrix.

Tabular, dense crystal masses, clusters of malformed or damaged crystals, gritty, and massive are other characteristics.

Sometimes crystals are engraved, and other times they are twinned.

Lazulite Uses

Many naturalists believe that Lazulite, especially when combined with Melody’s Stone, will assist you in seeing the realities of your existence.

They say it will cleanse your heart, mind, and spirit, as well as bring your various energies into harmony.

They add that the gem will boost your intuitive abilities as well and assist you in avoiding harmful and addictive habits.

Lazulite Locations

The Champion Mine in California and Graves Mountain, Georgia, are two well-known American locations.

Small levels have been reported from quartzites near Baraboo, Wisconsin, closer to home. 

What is Lazurite?

Lazurite is the most common mineral found in lapis Kazuki, and its chemical formula is (Na, Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2.

Lazurite’s name comes from the Persian word “luzhuward,” which means “stone.”

Lazurite is similarly a deep blue mineral; however, it forms in an isometric system. 

It’s frequently in the form of granular masses.

It has a cleavage that’s not strongly developed and a hardness of 5-5.5.

Lazurite and other minerals blend nicely from Hauynite to Calcite to form True Lapis.

It’s most common in marbles.

The appeal of Lapis Lazuli is due to the combination of colors and patterns.

The initial discovery of Lazurite was in the Sar-e-Sang District of the Koksha Valley, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, in 1890.

Miners have dug up Lazurite in Badakhshan’s lapis lazuli area for more than 6,000 years.

Since the 6th or 7th century, people continue to use it as a pigment in painting and cloth dyeing.

The United States, Canada, Burma, Italy, and Siberia are where people mine the gem.

The name comes from the Persian word Lajvard, which means blue.

Lazurite Uses

Many people believe that Lazurite possesses metaphysical properties.

They claim that Lazurite is beneficial for people with various types of infections as a treatment.

Other Lazurite health claims include its usefulness in dealing with ailments in the respiratory tracts.

Claims have also been made of Lazurite, helping to curb pain.

Lazurite Structure

Lazurite is a mineral with a structure dominated by sulfate.

Lazurite is an opalescent pigment with a bright blue stripe, particularly as the semi-precious stone Lapis Lazuli. 

The ancient Egyptians were aware of and used lapis lazuli.

They claim it indicated light, truth, and knowledge because it was thought to be a gem representing the skies of heaven.

As a result, it was frequently fashioned into eye-shaped gems.

Egyptian judges wore it often. 

Believers adorned Ra’s brow with an amulet.

In Revelations, lapis is mentioned as a stone in Aaron’s Breastplate.

During the Manchu era in China, lapis were worn for services in the Temple of Heaven.

It was utilized by the Romans and Greeks to treat fevers and depression. 

However, some material referred to as lapis is sapphires; therefore, historians recommend cautiously examining these historical records. 

Why Do People Confuse Them?

It’s easy to mix up two minerals with similar qualities, but it’s even more complicated when they have nearly identical names.

Lazurite and Lazulite are examples of this.

It’s a huge difference!

The first is a lovely blue mineral, whereas the second is the predominant blue mineral found in the rare gem Lapis Lazuli.

They must be kept straight!

To make matters worse, the mineral Lazurite is found in lapis lazuli.

Lazulite and Lazurite Differences

But, how do you identify the Lazulite and Lazurite differences?

Lazurite has a distinct crystal pattern, which is a blue stripe and a lesser Specific Gravity.

Lazurite can be distinguished from lazulite using sophisticated optical testing or X-ray diffraction. 

However, using association is a more straightforward test.

Quartz and lazulite you’ll frequently find together.

True Lapis, or Lazurite, is not.

In truth, lazurite is a member of the feldspathoids, a group of minerals that never coexist with quartz.

It is an excellent example of how a little observation may replace data received from large, expensive equipment!

Another distinction between Lazulite and Lazurite is that Lazulite is a semi-precious gemstone made of magnesium, iron, and aluminum, whereas Lazurite is a mineral found in metamorphosed limestones.

The gemstone Lapis Lazuli comprises Lazurite, and minced Lazurite produces the ultramarine hue in the old masters’ sodalite paint.

The “sodalite group” of silicate minerals has the following chemical composition: sodium aluminum silicate with sulfur, na4-5al3si3o12.

The gemstone Lapis Lazuli is made of Lazurite, and crushed Lazurite provided the ultramarine color in old masters’ paintings.

Sodalite and Lazurite belong to the “sodalite group of silicate minerals.”

The Bottom Line

At a glance, one can understand how you’d readily confuse the minerals.

However, as you look at Lazulite and Lazurite differences, it becomes clear that they are distinct stones.

It never hurts to research, especially if you’re tempted to purchase gems and semi-precious stones online from overseas. 

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