Comparison · Semi-Precious Stones vs Phosphate Minerals
Lapis Lazuli vs Lazulite
Lapis Lazuli and Lazulite 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 Lapis Lazuli and Lazulite
- 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: Lapis Lazuli leaves a light blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Lazulite leaves white.
- Hold a thin edge to the light: Lapis Lazuli is opaque, Lazulite is translucent.
- They overlap in blue, but Lapis Lazuli also comes in yellow and Lazulite also comes in green.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Lapis Lazuli is cubic, Lazulite is monoclinic.
Lapis Lazuli vs Lazulite properties
| Property | Lapis Lazuli | Lazulite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Semi-Precious Stones | Phosphate Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5 | 5.75 |
| Luster | vitreous | vitreous |
| Streak | Light blue | White |
| Transparency | opaque | translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.8 | 3.1 |
| Crystal system | cubic | monoclinic |
| Common colors | Deep Blue, Blue, Blue with gold flecks | 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 Lapis Lazuli, and premium Lazulite can reach $500 or more.
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.
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.
Lapis Lazuli vs Lazulite FAQ
Is Lapis Lazuli the same as Lazulite?
No. Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone while Lazulite is a phosphate mineral. 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 Lapis Lazuli from Lazulite?
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: Lapis Lazuli leaves a light blue streak on unglazed porcelain, Lazulite leaves white. Hold a thin edge to the light: Lapis Lazuli is opaque, Lazulite is translucent.
Which is harder, Lapis Lazuli or Lazulite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 5.5.
Which is more valuable, Lapis Lazuli or Lazulite?
Lazulite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $90 against $50 for Lapis Lazuli, and premium Lazulite can reach $500 or more.
