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Lazurite

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Ladjuar Medam (Lajur Madan; Lapis-lazuli Mine; Lapis-lazuli deposit), Sar-e Sang (Sar Sang; Sary Sang), Koksha Valley (Kokscha Valley; Kokcha Valley), Khash & Kuran Wa Munjan Districts, Badakhshan Province (Badakshan Province; Badahsan Province), Afghanistan
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Formula:
(Na,Ca)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(S,SO
 
4
,Cl
 
2
)
System:IsometricColour:Deep blue, azure-blue, ...
Hardness:5 - 5½
Member of:Sodalite Group
Name:From the Persian "Lazhward" for "blue." Also for its dark blue color resemblance to "azurite."


Lazurite is the blue component of the 'gemstone' (or, more accurately, decorative rock) Lapis Lazuli, which is a Lazurite-Calcite-Pyrite rock.

Classification of Lazurite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:8/J.11-40
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:9.FB.10

9 : SILICATES (Germanates)
F : Tektosilicates without zeolitic H2O
B : Tektosilicates with additional anions
Dana 8th edition ID:76.2.3.4

76 : TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
2 : Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
Hey's CIM Ref.:17.9.1

17 : Silicates Containing other Anions
9 : Silicates with sulphide or sulphite
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Type Occurrence of Lazurite

Type Locality:Ladjuar Medam (Lajur Madan; Lapis-lazuli Mine; Lapis-lazuli deposit), Sar-e Sang (Sar Sang; Sary Sang), Koksha Valley (Kokscha Valley; Kokcha Valley), Khash & Kuran Wa Munjan Districts, Badakhshan Province (Badakshan Province; Badahsan Province), Afghanistan
Year of Discovery:1890

Occurrences of Lazurite

Geological Setting:Contact metamorphic mineral in limestones.

Physical Properties of Lazurite

Lustre:Vitreous
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Transparent, Opaque
Colour:Deep blue, azure-blue, violet-blue, greenish blue
Streak:Bright blue
Hardness (Mohs):5 - 5½
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:Imperfect/Fair
Imperfect on {110}
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven
Density (measured):2.38 - 2.45 g/cm3
Density (calculated):2.4(1) g/cm3

Crystallography of Lazurite

Crystal System:Isometric
Class (H-M):4 3m - Hextetrahedral
Space Group:P4 3n
Cell Parameters:a = 9.09Å
Unit Cell Volume:V 751.09 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:1
Morphology:Dodecahedrons, cubes, granular, disseminated, massive.
Comment:Has monoclinic and triclinic polymorphs
X-Ray Powder Diffraction:
Image Loading

Radiation - Copper Kα
Data Set:
Horizontal Axis: ° to ° Vertical Axis: % Source Data: Filtered Data:
Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Optical Data of Lazurite

Type:Isotropic
RI values: n = 1.502 - 1.522
Maximum Birefringence:δ = 0.000 - Isotropic minerals have no birefringence
Surface Relief:Low
Comments:Anomalously anisotropic.

Chemical Properties of Lazurite

Formula:
(Na,Ca)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(S,SO
 
4
,Cl
 
2
)
Essential elements:Al, Na, O, S, Si
All elements listed in formula:Al, Ca, Cl, Na, O, S, Si
Common Impurities:Fe,Mg,K,H2O

Relationship of Lazurite to other Species

Member of:Sodalite Group
Other Members of Group:

- +
Haüyne
(Na,Ca)
 
4-8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
(O,S)
 
24
)(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
Nosean
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
)
Sodalite
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)Cl
 
2
Tsaregorodtsevite
(N(CH
 
3
)
 
4
)(AlSi
 
5
O
 
12
)
Tugtupite
Na
 
4
(AlBeSi
 
4
O
 
12
)Cl
Vladimirivanovite
Na
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
,S
 
3
,S
 
2
,Cl
 
2
)
 
2
 · H
 
2
O
Common Associates:
PyriteMuscoviteHumiteHumiteHaüyne
DiopsideCalcite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
9.FB.05Afghanite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
3
 · 0.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Bystrite
(Na,K)
 
7
Ca(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(S
 
3
)
 
1.5
 · H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Cancrinite
(Na,Ca,☐)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(CO
 
3
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Cancrisilite
Na
 
7
(Al
 
5
Si
 
7
O
 
24
)(CO
 
3
) · 3H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Davyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(Cl
 
2
,SO
 
4
)
 
2
9.FB.05Franzinite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 0.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Giuseppettite
(Na,K,Ca)
 
7-8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
9.FB.05Hydroxycancrinite
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(OH)
 
2
 · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Liottite
(Na,K)
 
16
Ca
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
3
(SO
 
4
)
 
5
Cl
 
4
9.FB.05Microsommite
Na
 
4
K
 
2
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
)Cl
 
2
9.FB.05Pitiglianoite
Na
 
6
K
 
2
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
) · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Quadridavyne
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)Cl
 
4
9.FB.05Sacrofanite
(Na,K)
 
98
Ca
 
20
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
14
(SO
 
4
)
 
26
Cl
 
2
 · 8H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Tounkite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
Cl · H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Vishnevite
(Na,K)
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
) · 2H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Marinellite
(Na,K)
 
42
Ca
 
6
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
6
(SO
 
4
)
 
8
Cl
 
2
 · 3H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Farneseite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
56
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
7
(SO
 
4
)
 
12
 · 6H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Alloriite
(Na,Ca,K)
 
26
Ca
 
4
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)
 
4
(SO
 
4
)
 
6
Cl
 
6
9.FB.05Fantappièite
[Na
 
82.5
Ca
 
33
K
 
16.5
](Si
 
99
Al
 
99
O
 
396
)(SO
 
4
)
 
33
 · 4H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Kyanoxalite
Na
 
7
(Al
 
6-x
Si
 
6+x
O
 
24
)(C
 
2
O
 
4
)
 
0.5+x
 · 5H
 
2
O (0 < x < 0.5)
9.FB.05Balliranoite
(Na,K)
 
6
Ca
 
2
(Si
 
6
Al
 
6
O
 
24
)Cl
 
2
(CO
 
3
)
9.FB.05Carbobystrite
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(CO
 
3
) · 3.5H
 
2
O
9.FB.05Depmeierite
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(PO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
 
1-x
 · 3H
 
2
O (x<0.5)
9.FB.05Kircherite
Na
 
5
Ca
 
2
K(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
)
 
2
 · 0.33H
 
2
O
9.FB.10Bicchulite
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
)(OH)
 
2
9.FB.10Danalite
Fe
2+
4
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)S
9.FB.10Genthelvite
Zn
 
4
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)S
9.FB.10Haüyne
(Na,Ca)
 
4-8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
(O,S)
 
24
)(SO
 
4
,Cl)
 
1-2
9.FB.10Helvite
Mn
2+
4
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)S
9.FB.10Kamaishilite
Ca
 
2
(Al
 
2
SiO
 
6
)(OH)
 
2
9.FB.10Nosean
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
)
9.FB.10Sodalite
Na
 
8
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)Cl
 
2
9.FB.10Tsaregorodtsevite
(N(CH
 
3
)
 
4
)(AlSi
 
5
O
 
12
)
9.FB.10Tugtupite
Na
 
4
(AlBeSi
 
4
O
 
12
)Cl
9.FB.10Helvine
9.FB.15Marialite
Na
 
4
Al
 
3
Si
 
9
O
 
24
Cl
9.FB.15Meionite
Ca
 
4
Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
CO
 
3
9.FB.15Silvialite
(Ca,Na)
 
4
(Al
 
6
Si
 
6
O
 
24
)(SO
 
4
,CO
 
3
)
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
17.9.2Jasmundite
Ca
 
11
(SiO
 
4
)
 
4
O
 
2
S
17.9.3Genthelvite
Zn
 
4
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)S
17.9.4Helvite
Mn
2+
4
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)S
17.9.5Danalite
Fe
2+
4
(Be
 
3
Si
 
3
O
 
12
)S

Other Names for Lazurite

Synonyms:
CyaneusLasurite (of Brogger)LasursteinLazurite (of Dana)Sapphis (of Agricola)
Ultramarine
Other Languages:
German:Lazurit
Russian:Лазурит
Spanish:Lazurita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Lazurite

Reference List:

- +
Voskoboinikova, N. (1938) The mineralogy of the Slyudyanka deposits of lazurite. Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 67: 601-622 (in Russian).

Hogarth, D.D. and Griffin, W.L. (1976) New data on lazurite. Lithos: 9: 39-54.

American Mineralogist (1991): 76: 1734.

American Mineralogist (1993): 78: 849.

Hassan, I., Peterson, R.C., and Grundy, H.D. (1985) The structure of lazurite, ideally Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)S2, a member of the sodalite group. Acta Crystallographica: C41: 827-832.

Tauson, V.L. and Sapozhnikov, A.N. (2003) Nature of lazurite coloration. Zapiski Vserossiyskogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestva: 132(5): 102-107.

Fleet, M.E., Liu, X., Harmer, S.L. and Nesbitt, H.W. (2005) Chemical state of sulfur in natural and synthetic lazurite by S K-edge XANES and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy. Canadian Mineralogist: 43: 1589-1603.

Internet Links for Lazurite

Search Engines:
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    • External Links:
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  • Look for Lazurite on Wikipedia
  • Look for Lazurite on Mineralien Atlas
  • Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project
  • American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database
  • Lazurite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Lazurite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Afghanistan
     
    • Badakhshan Province (Badakshan Province; Badahsan Province)
      • Khash & Kuran Wa Munjan Districts
        • Koksha Valley (Kokscha Valley; Kokcha Valley)
    		Mountain Minerals specimen
    Dudley Blauwet priv. comm.(2008), RWMW collection
          • Sar-e Sang (Sar Sang; Sary Sang)
    		Mineralogical Record (2001) 32:253; Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    http://afghanistan.usaid.gov/en/Province.28.aspx; Vik Vanrusselt collection
    Burma (Myanmar)
     
    • Mandalay Division
      • Pyin-Oo-Lwin District
        • Mogok Township
          • Pein Pyit (Painpyit; Pyan Pyit)
    		Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Canada
     
    • Nunavut Territory
      • Baffin Island
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    • Ontario
      • Carleton Co.
        • Gluocester Township
    		Analysis by Canadian Museum of Nature
      • Hastings Co.
        • Wollaston Township
    		Identified by Mineral Associates Inc.
    Chile
     
    • Coquimbo Region
      • Limarí Province
        • Monte Patria
          • El Polvo
    		Maksaev, V., Townley, B., Palacios, C., and Camus, F. (2007): Metallic ore deposits. In: Moreno, T., and Gibbons, W. (editors): The Geology of Chile. The Geological Society (London), pp. 414.
        • Ovalle
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    British Natural History Museum online catalogue 2007
    Italy
     
    • Basilicata
      • Potenza Province
    		Stoppa, F., and Liu, Y. (1995): European Journal of Mineralogy 7(2), 391-402
    • Campania
      • Naples Province
        • Somma-Vesuvius Complex
    		vom Rath, G., (1869): Krystallinischer Lasurstein vom Vesuv, Annalen der Physik und Chemie, Vol. 214, 491
            • Ercolano
    		Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I Minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
              • San Vito
    		Russo, M., Punzo, I. (2004): I minerali del Somma-Vesuvio, AMI
          • Mt Vesuvius
            • Terzigno
    		Luigi Chiappino data
    • Latium
      • Rome Province
    		Federico, M., Peccerillo, A., (2002): Mineral chemistry and petrogenesis of granular ejecta from the Alban Hills volcano, Mineralogy and Petrology, Vol 74, 223-252
          • Ariccia
    		Christof Schäfer
    Russia
     
    • Eastern-Siberian Region
      • Prebaikalia (Pribaikal'e)
        • Irkutskaya Oblast'
          • Lake Baikal area
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
              • Malaya Bystraya River Valley
    		Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pekov, I. (1998) Minerals First discovered on the territory of the former Soviet Union 369p. Ocean Pictures, Moscow
    Pavel M. Kartashov data
    Slovakia
     
    • Žilina Region
      • Turčianske Teplice Co.
    		Koděra et all.,1990: Topografická mineralógia Slovenska, I-III, 1590p
    Sweden
     
    • Småland
      • Vetlanda
        • Alseda
    		The Swedish Museum of Natural History, Bergskollegium collection # 18577211
    Tajikistan
     
    • Viloyati Mukhtori Gorno-Badakhshan (Viloyati Badakhshoni Kuni)
      • Pamir Mts
        • Shahdara range
          • Badom-Dara
    		P.M. Kartashov data; Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    USA
     
    • Alabama
      • Tallapoosa Co.
    		Mineralogy of Alabama Geol Surv Ala. Bull 120
    • Arkansas
      • Pulaski Co.
        • Little Rock
    		Rocks and Minerals, (1989) 64:314-322
    Henry Barwood - unpublished (2010)
    • California
      • Los Angeles Co.
        • San Gabriel Mts
          • San Antonio Canyon
            • San Antonio Creek
    		Rogers, Austin Flint (1912), Notes on rare minerals from California: Columbia University, School of Mines Quarterly: 33: 377; Surr, Gordon (1913), Lapis lazuli in southern California: Mining and Engineering World: Dec 27, 39: 1153-1154; Rogers, Austin Flint (1938b), Lapis lazuli from San Bernardino County, California: American Mineralogist: 23: 111-114; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 367-368.
      • San Bernardino Co.
        • San Gabriel Mts
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
          • San Antonio Canyon
    		Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Handbook of Mineralogy - Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols
    Rogers, Austin Flint (1912b), Notes on rare minerals from California: Columbia University, School of Mines Quarterly: 33: 377; Surr, Gordon (1913), Lapis lazuli in southern California: Mining and Engineering World: Dec 27, 39: 1153-1154; Rogers, Austin Flint (1938b), Lapis lazuli from San Bernardino County, California: American Mineralogist: 23: 111-114; Sharp, W.E. (1959) Minerals from Los Angeles County, California. Printed privately, Los Angeles, California: 43; Sinkankas, J. (1976) Gemstones of North America II. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York: 323; Pemberton, H. Earl (1983), Minerals of California; Van Nostrand Reinholt Press: 367-368.
    • Colorado
      • Gunnison Co.
        • Dorchester District
          • Taylor Park
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Nevada
      • Clark Co.
    		NBMG Spec. Pub. 31 Minerals of Nevada
    • New York
      • St. Lawrence Co.
        • Balmat-Edwards Zinc District
          • Balmat
    		George Robinson & Steven Chamberlain (2007) Gazetteer of major New York State mineral localities. Rocks & Minerals, 82, #6, 472-483.
    George Robinson & Steven Chamberlain (2007) Gazetteer of major New York State mineral localities. Rocks & Minerals, 82, #6, 472-483.
    Rocks & Minerals 82:472-483
          • Edwards
    		Canadian Mineralogist (1979) 17:47-52
    • North Carolina
    		Genth,F.A and Kerr,W.C,1881,Minerals and Mineral Localities of North Carolina,Geologic Survey
    • Wyoming
      • Sweetwater Co.
        • Green River Formation
    		Am Min 49:778-781
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