Comparison · Minerals vs Silicate Minerals
Hauyne vs Lazurite
Hauyne and Lazurite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, 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 Hauyne and Lazurite
- Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Hauyne leaves a pale blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Lazurite leaves light blue.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Hauyne is Transparent to translucent, Lazurite is translucent.
- They overlap in blue, but Hauyne also comes in green and white and Lazurite also comes in purple.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Hauyne is Isometric, Lazurite is cubic.
Hauyne vs Lazurite properties
| Property | Hauyne | Lazurite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Silicate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6 | 5.25 |
| Luster | Vitreous to greasy | vitreous |
| Streak | Pale blue | Light blue |
| Transparency | Transparent to translucent | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.4–2.5 | 2.4 |
| Crystal system | Isometric | cubic |
| Common colors | Blue, Sky blue, Greenish blue, White | Blue, Deep blue, Azure blue, Violet blue |
| Rarity | common | rare |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$150+ | $10–$600+ |
Which is more valuable?
Lazurite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $80 against $20 for Hauyne, and premium Lazurite can reach $600 or more.
About Hauyne
Hauyne, also spelled haüyne, is a sodium calcium aluminum silicate sulfate belonging to the feldspathoid group, crystallizing in the cubic system. Its vivid blue color closely resembles lazurite, the mineral primarily responsible for lapis lazuli's color, though the two form in entirely different geologic settings. It typically occurs as small, well-formed dodecahedral crystals embedded in silica-poor volcanic rock.
About Lazurite
Lazurite is a deep blue feldspathoid mineral of the sodalite group and the main coloring component of the rock lapis lazuli. It occurs as rounded grains and rare dodecahedral crystals in metamorphosed limestone.
Hauyne vs Lazurite FAQ
Is Hauyne the same as Lazurite?
No. Hauyne is a mineral while Lazurite is a silicate mineral. Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Hauyne from Lazurite?
Both sit near Mohs 5.5–6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Hauyne leaves a pale blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Lazurite leaves light blue. Hold a thin edge to the light: Hauyne is Transparent to translucent, Lazurite is translucent.
Which is harder, Hauyne or Lazurite?
Hauyne is harder: Mohs 5.5–6 against Mohs 5.25 for Lazurite.
Which is more valuable, Hauyne or Lazurite?
Lazurite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $80 against $20 for Hauyne, and premium Lazurite can reach $600 or more.
