Scorzalite is the iron-dominant member of the lazulite group and is prized by collectors for its intense deep blue color. It is typically found in high-grade metamorphic rocks and pegmatites where it often appears as massive, granular aggregates. Because of its scarcity and potential for rich color, it is highly sought after by mineral collectors and occasionally used in cabochon cutting.

Hardness

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White to pale blue

Transparency

Semitransparent

mineralrareLazulite Group family

Scorzalite

Hardness: 6
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White to pale blue
Transparency: Semitransparent

Is this scorzalite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch scorzalite with a known reference. Scorzalite sits at Mohs 6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white to pale blue.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: dark blue, greenish blue.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: granular, massive.

Often confused with

Scorzalite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Scorzalite leaves white to pale blue, Lazurite leaves bright blue.

Often found alongside scorzalite

Minerals reported to co-occur with scorzalite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Fe²⁺Al₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂
Mohs hardness: 6
Density: 3.33 g/cm³
Colors: Dark blue Greenish blue
Streak: White to pale blue
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Semitransparent
Crystal system: Monoclinic
Crystal habit: Granular, massive
Cleavage: On {110}, good; on {101}, indistinct
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Lapidary
Host rock: Typically a secondary mineral in complex zoned granite pegmatites; may occur in kyanite-rich quartzite

Where rockhounds find scorzalite

Classic worldwide localities

Victory mine, four km northeast of Custer, Custer Co., and the White Cap mine, three km south of Keystone, Pennington Co., South Dakota, USA
Palermo #1 mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., and the G.E. Smith mine, Newport, New Hampshire, USA
Champion mine, Mono Co., California, USA
McIntyre Creek, about four km west of Glendevey, Larimer Co., Colorado, USA
Corrego Frio pegmatite mine, Divino das Laranjeiras, near Linópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Buranga and Rusororo pegmatites, Gatumba district, Rwanda

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Typically a secondary mineral in complex zoned granite pegmatites; may occur in kyanite-rich quartzite. If you start seeing souzalite, triphylite, wyllieite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular, massive. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify scorzalite?+

Mohs hardness is 6. Luster: vitreous. The streak is white to pale blue. Common colors include dark blue, greenish blue.

Where is scorzalite found?+

Notable localities include Victory mine, four km northeast of Custer, Custer Co., and the White Cap mine, three km south of Keystone, Pennington Co., South Dakota, USA; Palermo #1 mine, near North Groton, Grafton Co., and the G.E. Smith mine, Newport, New Hampshire, USA; Champion mine, Mono Co., California, USA; McIntyre Creek, about four km west of Glendevey, Larimer Co., Colorado, USA; Corrego Frio pegmatite mine, Divino das Laranjeiras, near Linópolis, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

What rocks look like scorzalite?+

Scorzalite is most often confused with Lazulite, Lazurite, Sodalite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with scorzalite?+

Scorzalite commonly co-occurs with Souzalite, Triphylite, Wyllieite, Trolleite, Apatite, Lacroixite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does scorzalite form in?+

Where it forms: Typically a secondary mineral in complex zoned granite pegmatites; may occur in kyanite-rich quartzite. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is scorzalite used for?+

Scorzalite is used in collector, lapidary.

Find scorzalite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.