Comparison · Minerals vs Semi-Precious Stones
Azurite vs Lapis Lazuli
Azurite and Lapis Lazuli are easy to confuse. Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Azurite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Azurite and Lapis Lazuli
- Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Azurite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Azurite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.8 versus 2.8 for Lapis Lazuli).
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Azurite is translucent, Lapis Lazuli is opaque.
- They overlap in blue, but Lapis Lazuli also comes in yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Azurite is monoclinic, Lapis Lazuli is cubic.
Azurite vs Lapis Lazuli properties
| Property | Azurite | Lapis Lazuli |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Semi-Precious Stones |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5 | 5.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | Light blue | Light blue |
| Transparency | translucent | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 3.8 | 2.8 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic | cubic |
| Common colors | Deep Blue, Azure Blue | Deep Blue, Blue, Blue with gold flecks |
| Rarity | uncommon | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $10–$500+ | $10–$500+ |
Which is more valuable?
Typical specimens of Azurite and Lapis Lazuli trade in a similar range, around $50.
About Azurite
Azurite is a deep blue copper carbonate mineral, often found with green malachite. It was ground into pigment for the famous blue in Renaissance paintings.
About Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock prized since antiquity. The golden flecks are pyrite inclusions, while the blue comes from lazurite.
Azurite vs Lapis Lazuli FAQ
Is Azurite the same as Lapis Lazuli?
No. Azurite is a mineral while Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone. Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Azurite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
How can you tell Azurite from Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Azurite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Azurite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.8 versus 2.8 for Lapis Lazuli). Hold a thin edge to the light: Azurite is translucent, Lapis Lazuli is opaque.
Which is harder, Azurite or Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is harder: Mohs 5.5 against Mohs 3.5 for Azurite.
Which is more valuable, Azurite or Lapis Lazuli?
Typical specimens of Azurite and Lapis Lazuli trade in a similar range, around $50.
