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Kelley's Kaleidoscope |
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Lazulite Specimens Lazulite is a blue, phosphate-based mineral containing magnesium, iron, and aluminium phosphate. Lazulite forms one endmember of a soli solution series with the darker iron rich scorzalite. It forms by high grade metamorphism of high silica quartz rich rocks and in pegmatites. It is considered a semi-precious gemstone. It is often confused with lazurite, lapis lazuli or azurite. Lazulite crystallizes in the monoclinic system. Crystal habits include steep bipyramidal or wedge-shaped crystals. Lazulite has a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6 and a specific gravity of 3.0 to 3.1. It is infusible and insoluble. It was first described in 1795 for deposits in Austria. Its name comes from the Arabic for heaven.
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