Lazulite: a blue mineral not to be confused with lapis lazuli

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Lazulite is a blue magnesium aluminium phosphate. It is neither lapis lazuli nor lazurite: mineralogy, deposits (Yukon, Austria), cautious symbolism and care.

Key points

Colour	azure to deep blue, greenish blue, sometimes bluish white
Mineral family	magnesium, iron and aluminium phosphate, (Mg,Fe)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2
Crystal system	monoclinic
Hardness (Mohs)	5.5 to 6
Density	about 3.0 to 3.2
Streak	white
Known deposits	Austria (Styria, type locality), Switzerland, Brazil, United States (Georgia, California), Canada (Yukon)
First described	1795, in Austria (Styria)
Possible confusions	lapis lazuli, lazurite, azurite, sodalite, blue apatite

What is lazulite?

Lazulite is a mineral, a phosphate of magnesium, iron and aluminium with the formula (Mg,Fe)Al2(PO4)2(OH)2. It forms a series with a neighbouring mineral richer in iron, scorzalite. Its crystals are monoclinic, wedge-shaped or small pyramids, of a very recognisable azure blue. It is also known as azure spar.

It was described in 1795 from deposits in Styria, Austria, which is its type locality. The origin of the name is debated: it may come from the German Lazurstein (“blue stone”) or from an Arabic word for the sky. This word is also the source of the name lapis lazuli, which partly explains the confusion.

Lazulite, lazurite, lapis lazuli: three different things

Name	Nature	Simplified composition
Lazulite	mineral (phosphate)	magnesium, iron, aluminium, phosphate
Lazurite	mineral (tectosilicate): the main blue constituent of lapis lazuli	sodium, calcium, aluminium, silicon, sulphur
Lapis lazuli	rock, a mixture of lazurite, calcite, pyrite and other minerals	mixture
Azurite	mineral (copper carbonate)	copper, carbonate

Keep in mind that lazulite is neither lapis lazuli nor one of its minerals. It is harder (5.5 to 6) and denser (about 3.1) than lapis, which ranges from 5 to 5.5. See also sodalite, another blue that is often mistaken for these.

Where is it found?

Lazulite forms in metamorphic rocks rich in alumina and phosphorus, and in some pegmatites. Collector specimens come notably from Austria (Styria and Salzburg), Switzerland (the Zermatt region), Brazil (Minas Gerais), the United States (Lincoln County in Georgia, Inyo County in California) and Canada, in the Yukon, known for its deep blue crystals.

Crystals are most often small; a stone cut as a cabochon or a faceted gem is rare and mainly intended for collectors. In the crystal trade, you will mostly find small rough pieces or tumbled stones.

Traditional symbolism

Deep blue evokes the sky, water and calm. Lazulite is associated with mental clarity, communication and contemplation, often by analogy with lapis lazuli.

These associations are recent and come from a confusion of names: lazulite has no ancient tradition of its own. They rest on no scientific evidence. It is mainly used as a visual reference and as a collector’s piece.

Traditional correspondences

Domain	Correspondence cited
Chakra	throat, or third eye
Element	air or water
Signs	Sagittarius, Pisces, Aquarius (very variable)
Keywords	clarity, communication, calm

See the throat chakra and the third eye chakra.

How to use it

As a collector’s piece: a blue crystal or a piece still in its host rock, displayed in a cabinet.
As a tumbled stone: to keep in your pocket or on your desk; it is less hard than quartz, so it scratches.
As jewellery: a cabochon on a pendant, or a ring worn occasionally (jewellery guide).
In meditation: the blue of the crystal serves as a point of focus (tutorial).

Care and cleansing

Cleaning: a soft, damp cloth, or lukewarm water with a very mild soap, then dry.
Water: a quick rinse is possible; no prolonged soaking.
Ultrasonic cleaners, steam, harsh products: avoid them, as they may damage a cracked stone.
Sunlight: brief exposure carries no known risk; as a precaution, avoid strong heat.
Salt: avoid.
Knocks: with a hardness of 5.5 to 6, it scratches when rubbed against quartz. Store it separately.

For symbolic cleansing: smoke or sound (guide).

Recognising genuine lazulite

Natural stone: azure blue, translucent to opaque, vitreous lustre, sometimes wedge-shaped crystals; white streak.
Common confusions: lapis lazuli (which contains golden flecks of pyrite and white patches), sodalite (a more violet blue with white veins), azurite (dark blue, soft, toxic) or blue apatite.
Imitations: blue glass, glass paste, howlite or chalcedony dyed blue. A very uniform, very vivid colour on a stone without crystals should raise doubts.

We have not found a source documenting common imitations of lazulite. Only a gemmological laboratory can confirm the identity of a valuable piece. See real or fake stone?, turquoise or dyed howlite and Our commitments.

How to choose

Good-quality pieces are rare and expensive; small rough pieces are more affordable. Ask about the origin: a seller who names “Yukon”, “Austria” or “Brazil” is more credible than one who gives a vague name. For a cabochon, choose a piece without fractures.

Pairings: with sodalite, lapis lazuli or apatite for a set of blues. This stone is a collector’s mineral, with no proven effect on health.