Lazulite & Wardite

Rare lazulite with wardite on matrix from the classic Rapid Creek phosphate locality, Yukon, Canada. The specimen displays deep blue to dark blue lazulite crystals associated with lighter blue to greyish wardite, both occurring as well-formed, blocky to tabular crystals embedded in a complex phosphate-rich matrix. The strong colour contrast between the two phosphate species is characteristic of high-quality Rapid Creek material.

Lazulite and wardite are both phosphate minerals that form under low-temperature hydrothermal to metasomatic conditions, often within aluminous host rocks. Rapid Creek is internationally renowned for its exceptional phosphate mineral diversity and is regarded as one of the world’s premier localities for well-crystallized lazulite–wardite assemblages.

This locality is notable for producing textbook examples of the lazulite–wardite association, which is considered classic and diagnostic for Rapid Creek. Both minerals are considered uncommon to rare, and specimens showing clear crystal development of both species in direct association are especially sought after by systematic collectors.