Comparison · Minerals vs Phosphate Minerals
Azurite vs Lazulite
Azurite and Lazulite are easy to confuse. Lazulite is harder (Mohs 5.75) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lazulite 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 Lazulite
- Lazulite is harder (Mohs 5.75) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lazulite will scratch Azurite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not.
- Streak color differs: Azurite leaves a light blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Lazulite leaves white.
- Azurite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.8 versus 3.1 for Lazulite).
- They overlap in blue, but Lazulite also comes in green.
Azurite vs Lazulite properties
| Property | Azurite | Lazulite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Phosphate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 3.5 | 5.75 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | Light blue | White |
| Transparency | translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 3.8 | 3.1 |
| Crystal system | monoclinic | monoclinic |
| Common colors | Deep Blue, Azure Blue | Blue, Sky blue, Azure blue, Bluish green |
| Rarity | uncommon | rare |
| Typical specimen value | $10–$500+ | $15–$500+ |
Which is more valuable?
Lazulite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $50 for Azurite, and premium Lazulite can reach $500 or more.
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 Lazulite
Lazulite is a magnesium aluminum phosphate prized by collectors for its rich azure-blue color. It forms hard pyramidal crystals and granular masses, most often in metamorphic quartzites and pegmatites.
Azurite vs Lazulite FAQ
Is Azurite the same as Lazulite?
No. Azurite is a mineral while Lazulite is a phosphate mineral. Lazulite is harder (Mohs 5.75) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lazulite 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 Lazulite?
Lazulite is harder (Mohs 5.75) than Azurite (Mohs 3.5), so Lazulite will scratch Azurite and not the other way round. A steel knife blade (Mohs 5.5) scratches it; a copper coin does not. Streak color differs: Azurite leaves a light blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Lazulite leaves white. Azurite feels noticeably heavier for its size (specific gravity 3.8 versus 3.1 for Lazulite).
Which is harder, Azurite or Lazulite?
Lazulite is harder: Mohs 5.75 against Mohs 3.5 for Azurite.
Which is more valuable, Azurite or Lazulite?
Lazulite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $50 for Azurite, and premium Lazulite can reach $500 or more.
