Information about Lazulite

Lazulite is a deep blue to greenish-blue phosphate mineral that often forms as grains, massive aggregates, or well-developed crystals in metamorphic rocks.

Potential buyers should be careful not to mistake lazulite with the similar mineral lazurite, and lapis lazuli.

Uses and History

Lazulite is primarily a collector’s mineral, valued for its vibrant blue hue and well-formed crystals. It is occasionally used as a semi-precious gemstone, though it is relatively soft and not widely used in jewellery.

Lazulite was first described from deposits in Styria, Austria. It’s etymology is uncertain; the name either comes from the german ‘lazurstein’ for ‘blue stone’, or the arabic word ‘lazaward’ or ‘lazward’, meaning heaven in Arabic.

Mineralogy

Hazards and Warnings

Mineral collectors should wash their hands after handling specimens, to avoid any exposure to potential toxins.

Almost all rocks, minerals (and, frankly, almost all other substances on earth) can produce toxic dust when cutting, which can cause serious respiratory conditions including silicosis.

When cutting or polishing rocks, minerals, shells, etc, all work should be done wet to minimise the dust, and a suitable respirator or extraction system should be used.

Translations

Further Reading / External Links

• https://www.mindat.org/show.php?id=2356&ld=1
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazulite
• https://www.minerals.net/mineral/lazulite.aspx