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Lazulite with Siderite and Quartz

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Lazulite, a magnesium-iron-aluminium phosphate, is perhaps the most well known and popular collector species from the Yukon Phosphate District and this specimen will certainly not disappoint! Magnificent large crystals of inky blue Lazulite almost entirely cover the matrix surface, interrupted here and there by infilling golden-toffee Siderite crystals and drusy patches of colourless Quartz. This beautiful cabinet specimen is from Rapid Creek in the Dawson Mining District of Yukon, Canada and measures an impressive 9.2 x 6.7 x 2.4 cm. Do take a look at the accompanying video where you will realise just how good the Lazulite crystals are. We seem to have known about Rapid Creek Lazulite for ever, yet it was only discovered there in 1974 by prospector Alan Kulan. Although I have described the colour as inky blue, its beauty is better conveyed through its name; Lazulite being derived from the Arabic word for heaven, with reference to its colour! Just think, when the Mineralogical Record special issue Yukon Phosphates (V.23, No.4) was published in 1992, the Rapid Creek Lazulite had been known for only 18 years.