Azurite is a blue translucent stone that is not very hard. It is a copper carbonate and is named after its color, which can vary from azure-blue (sky blue) to Prussian blue. It is sometimes confused with lapis lazuli or sodalite. Countries where large deposits of azurite can be found are Australia, Chile, the United States, Mexico, Namibia and Russia. A little bit of history: It was used in the Middle Ages in the manufacture of azure paint color. However, its color changed over time, making its pigment less popular than ultramarine blue (made from lapis lazuli).

Gems are minerals (like diamonds) or organic (like pearls, amber and coral) material used in jewelry, and silverware. Some crystalline aggregate like the lapis-lazuli or even some stones such as marble-onyx are also called gems. For matter to be considered a gem, it must be attractive and solid enough to withstand constant manipulations. Other matters such as ivory, jet carbon, glass and fossils are at times considered gems. Synthetic stones are not considered to be gems.

Lapis-Lazuli is an ornamental stone that derives its name from the latin word lapis “stone” and azul “blue”. This opaque blue stone (veined or stained) violet or greenish blue is made of lazurite (25% to 40%) and sometimes many other stones such as pyrite (small metallic broken pieces). A strong concentration of these components, often white or gray will dampen the stone’s blue color. This stone is sensitive to harsh chemical like acids, household products and high temperatures. This stone has been used for more than 7000 years. Through history, this stones has been used to make attires, wall coating, mosaics, to make pigments, decorative objects and cameos. Nowadays, lapis-lazuli is often cut in cabochons or in beads for the jewelry industry. Deposits are mostly found in Afghanistan (for more than 6000 years), Russia, Chili, Myanmar, the United-States and Pakistan. A little bit of history: In the Middle-Ages, the lapis-lazuli was used in paintings to pigment the bluish color of seas, oceans, rivers that are abroad. Michael-Angelo used a bit of pigment to paint the sky in the Sixtine Chapelle’s ceiling.

Magnesite is a stone that can be white, yellow to brown or at times color-free. It is transparent to translucent. However, on the market a similar stone is available albeit opaque, it is also called magnesite. It can be dyed in any color and often is often made to resemble the turquoise and even the lapis-lazuli.

Sodalite is a stone of a blue, white, gray color, although it can be colorless, from the family of silicates. In jewelry, it is only used in its blue color. It has a pattern of veins of white limestone. Its name comes from its sodium content. It comes from Brazil, the United States, Canada, Greenland, India, Namibia and Russia. It can sometimes be confused with lapis lazuli. Sodalite is usually cut into cabochons, beads or other objects.