Mineralpedia Details for Lazurite
Lazurite
Named after the Persian word lazhward, meaning “blue,” and in reference to its similarity to azurite. The formation of lazurite is a result of contact metamorphism of limestones and can be found in Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Italy, the United States, Canada, Burma, and Chile, among some others.
Ref. Handbook of Mineralogy, Anthony et al (1995) and MSA at http://www.handbookofmineralogy.org/pdfs/lazurite.pdf
- Formula
- Na3Ca(Si3Al3)O12S
- Crystal System
- Isometric
- Crystal Habit
- Massive - Granular
- Cleavage
- Imperfect, None, None
- Luster
- Vitreous - Dull
- Color
- blue, azure blue, violet blue, greenish blue
- Streak
- light blue
- Class
- Isometric - Hextetrahedral
- Fracture
- Conchoidal
- Hardness
- 5.5
- WebMineral
- View Lazurite
- Mindat
- View Lazurite
Lazurite from Lajuar Madan, Sar-e-Sang dist., Badakhshan, Afghanistan
A very splendid and showy matrix specimen with two large deep blue Lazurite crystals to 2cm perched nicely atop the Muscovite matrix. There are several smaller Lazurite crystals at the base.
Gorgeous, rich lapis lazuli blue crystal to 3cm across with mulitple faces exposed from white marble matrix.
Deep blue crystals to 4cm and 2cm with a few others in matrix of calcite and Fosterite crystals to 1.5cm.
