mineral

Lazulite

Lazulite (MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2)

Hardness: 5.5 - 6.0; Color: Azure-blue, deep blue, or blue-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 3.0 - 3.1

Hardness: 5
Color: Azure-blue, deep blue, or blue-green
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified January 10, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5 - 6.0; Color: Azure-blue, deep blue, or blue-green; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Monoclinic; Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 3.0 - 3.1

Formation & geological history

Formed through high-grade metamorphism of silica-rich rocks (quartzites) and in granitic pegmatites. It is a magnesium aluminum phosphate mineral often found in association with kyanite, andalusite, and corundum.

Uses & applications

Primarily valued by mineral collectors for its intense blue color. Sometimes used in jewelry as a gemstone, though its hardness makes it slightly fragile for rings. Also used historically as a minor pigment.

Geological facts

The name is derived from the Arabic word 'lazaward', meaning sky, referring to its color. It is often confused with Lapis Lazuli due to the name, but they are chemically distinct (Lazulite is a phosphate while Lapis contains the silicate Lazurite). It is the official mineral emblem of the Yukon Territory in Canada.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct aesthetic blue color and association with quartzite beds. Common locations include Graves Mountain (Georgia, USA), the Yukon (Canada), and parts of Austria and Sweden. Unlike Sodalite, it will not fluoresce brightly under UV light and is harder than most sedimentary blue minerals.