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Lazurite:
Tectosilicates (Silicate of sodium calcium and aluminum, with some sulfur; sodalite group) (Na,Ca)8(Al,Si)12O24(S,SO)4 AKA: Lapis Lazuli, Lapis |
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System: Isometric; dodecahedral; crystals rare; usually granular, compact massive. Appearance: Deep-blue color and frequent association with pyrite. Physical Properties: Hardness: (5.0 - 5.5); Specific gravity: (2.4 - 2.5). Cleavage: poor, in six directions; fracture, uneven; translucent; brittle. Similar species: Lazurite is deeper in color and usually finer grained than sodalite, and is softer and lighter than lazulite. Occurrence: Lazurite forms in association with pyrite, calcite and diopside in hornfels of contact metamorphic rocks. Lapis lazuli is a mixture of lazurite, calcite, pyrite and diopside. Lazurite is a rare mineral in North America, but it does occur in Colorado and California. Miscellaneous: The opaque, vivid blue, light blue, greenish-blue, or violet-blue stone, consisting largely of lazurite but with appreciable amounts of calcite, diopside and pyrite, is a rock called lapis lazuli. The stone is usually veined or spotted. Its value depends largely upon excellence and uniformity of color and absence of pyrite, although some purchases prefer lapis with pyrite. Lazurite is fashioned into cabochons, beads and flat slabs or carved ornamental objects. The name is from the Arabic lazaward, "heaven", which was also applied to sky-blue lapis lazuli. Lazurite (lapis lazuli) is used as a gemstone and is a birthstone for December. Conventional Wisdom: This mineral promotes tranquility and enhances the spiritual quality of the user. It provides for amplification of qualities such as thought transference, intuition, psychic contact with spiritual guides, and problem solving in the dream state and the state of conscious awareness. It can be used to alleviate pain and to provide relief from inflammations and infections. Belongs to the Astrological Signs of Sagittarius and and Pisces. |