Lazurite

Big Photo

Lapis lazuli
Afghanistan
444.55 carats
© gemselect.com

Lazurite is named after Latin "lazulum" or Persian "lazhward" - blue, alluding to its colour.

Lazurite can be found as well-formed crystals of deep blue colour. But it is more frequent in its massive form as the main component of Lapis Lazuli.

Lazurite is cut into cabochons or can be used for carvings.

Mineralogically speaking Lazurite is a sulfide-rich variety of Hauyne.

Lazurite Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 

Lazurite Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Lazurite gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.27 cts
Heaviest:444.55 cts
Average:27.52 cts
Total photos:48
Do you have a larger Lazurite? Why not upload a photo?
0.27ct to 44.70ct44.70ct to 89.13ct89.13ct to 133.55ct133.55ct to 177.98ct177.98ct to 222.41ct222.41ct to 266.84ct266.84ct to 311.27ct311.27ct to 355.69ct355.69ct to 400.12ct400.12ct to 444.55ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Haüyne
Varieties/Types:
Chemical Formula
(Na,Ca)
 
8
Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
(SO
 
4
,S,Cl)
 
2
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Physical Properties of Lazurite
Mohs Hardness5.5
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
Specific Gravity2.75
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
TenacityBrittle
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Cleavage QualityPoor
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
More from other references
FractureUneven
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Optical Properties of Lazurite
Refractive Index1.500
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Optical CharacterIsotropic
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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DispersionNil
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Colour
Colour (General)Blue
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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Causes of ColourBlue (lapis lazuli), S3 - (charge transfer)
W. William Hanneman, Pragmatic Spectroscopy For Gemologists (2011)
TransparencyOpaque
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
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LustreVitreous
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
Crystallography of Lazurite
Crystal SystemIsometric
Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, Gemmological Tables (2004)
More from other references
HabitDodecahedral
Arthur Thomas, Gemstones (2009)
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Geological Environment
Where found:A contact metamorphic mineral in limestones
Anthony et al, Handbook of mineralogy (2001)
Inclusions in Lazurite
Commonly blue (lazurite) speckled with white (calcite) spots, golden coloured pyrite inclusions - Gemmological Tables, Ulrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda, 2004, p 4
Further Information
Mineral information:Lazurite information at mindat.org
Significant Gem Localities
Afghanistan
 
  • Badakhshan
    • Kuran wa Munjan District
      • Sar-e-Sang
[var: Lapis lazuli] Bowersox and Chamberlin (1995)
Asia
 
[var: Lapis lazuli] Spiridonov (1998)
Chile
 
  • Coquimbo
    • Limarí Province
      • Monte Patria
        • El Polvo
[var: Lapis lazuli]
      • Ovalle
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ward (1996)
Myanmar
 
  • Mandalay Region
    • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
[var: Lapis lazuli]
        • Bernardmyo
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Chaung-gyi
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyatpyin North
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Kyauk-Pyat-That
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Marble Ark
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Mogok Valley
          • Dattaw-taung (Dattaw hill)
            • Dattaw-mid
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
[var: Lapis lazuli] Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
        • Pein-Pyit (Painpyit; Pyan Pyit)
Ted Themelis (2008) Gems & mines of Mogok
Russia
 
[var: Lapis lazuli] Spiridonov (1998)
    • Slyudyanka
      • Malaya Bystraya River Valley
[var: Lapis lazuli]
Tajikistan
 
  • Gorno-Badakhshan
    • Shughnon
      • Shakhdara range
        • Badom-Dara
[var: Lapis lazuli]
USA
 
  • Colorado
    • Gunnison County
      • Dorchester Mining District
        • Taylor Park
          • Italian Mountain
[var: Lapis lazuli]
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