Comparison · Minerals vs Semi-Precious Stones
Calcite vs Lapis Lazuli
Calcite and Lapis Lazuli are easy to confuse. Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Calcite and Lapis Lazuli
- Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
- Streak color differs: Calcite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Lapis Lazuli leaves light blue.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Lapis Lazuli is opaque.
- They overlap in yellow and blue, but Calcite also comes in clear, orange, green, and pink.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Calcite is trigonal, Lapis Lazuli is cubic.
Calcite vs Lapis Lazuli properties
| Property | Calcite | Lapis Lazuli |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Semi-Precious Stones |
| Mohs hardness | 3 | 5.5 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | White | Light blue |
| Transparency | transparent | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 2.7 | 2.8 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | cubic |
| Common colors | Colorless, White, Yellow, Orange, Blue, Green, Pink | Deep Blue, Blue, Blue with gold flecks |
| Rarity | common | uncommon |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$100+ | $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 Calcite, and premium Lapis Lazuli can reach $500 or more.
About Calcite
Calcite is one of the most common minerals on Earth, found in sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous rocks. It's the primary component of limestone and marble.
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.
Calcite vs Lapis Lazuli FAQ
Is Calcite the same as Lapis Lazuli?
No. Calcite is a mineral while Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone. Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not.
How can you tell Calcite from Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is harder (Mohs 5.5) than Calcite (Mohs 3), so Lapis Lazuli will scratch Calcite and not the other way round. A copper coin (Mohs 3.5) scratches it, but a fingernail does not. Streak color differs: Calcite leaves a white streak on unglazed porcelain, Lapis Lazuli leaves light blue. Hold a thin edge to the light: Calcite is transparent, Lapis Lazuli is opaque.
Which is harder, Calcite or Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is harder: Mohs 5.5 against Mohs 3 for Calcite.
Which is more valuable, Calcite or Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $50 against $15 for Calcite, and premium Lapis Lazuli can reach $500 or more.
