Comparison · Materials vs Semi-Precious Stones
Blue Goldstone vs Lapis Lazuli
Blue Goldstone and Lapis Lazuli are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Blue Goldstone and Lapis Lazuli
- Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Blue Goldstone leaves a white to colorless streak on unglazed porcelain, Lapis Lazuli leaves light blue.
- They overlap in blue, but Lapis Lazuli also comes in yellow.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Blue Goldstone is amorphous, Lapis Lazuli is cubic.
Blue Goldstone vs Lapis Lazuli properties
| Property | Blue Goldstone | Lapis Lazuli |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Materials | Semi-Precious Stones |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White to colorless | Light blue |
| Transparency | opaque | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| Crystal system | amorphous | cubic |
| Common colors | Dark Blue, Navy, Sparkly, Metallic specks | Deep Blue, Blue, Blue with gold flecks |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $3–$80+ | $10–$500+ |
Which is more valuable?
Lapis Lazuli is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $50 against $15 for Blue Goldstone, and premium Lapis Lazuli can reach $500 or more.
About Blue Goldstone
Blue Goldstone is a manufactured dark blue aventurine glass with tiny sparkling metallic inclusions.
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.
Blue Goldstone vs Lapis Lazuli FAQ
Is Blue Goldstone the same as Lapis Lazuli?
No. Blue Goldstone is a material while Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone. Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Blue Goldstone from Lapis Lazuli?
Both sit near Mohs 5.5, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Blue Goldstone leaves a white to colorless streak on unglazed porcelain, Lapis Lazuli leaves light blue. They overlap in blue, but Lapis Lazuli also comes in yellow.
Which is harder, Blue Goldstone or Lapis Lazuli?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5.5.
Which is more valuable, Blue Goldstone or Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $50 against $15 for Blue Goldstone, and premium Lapis Lazuli can reach $500 or more.
