The attractively bright colour and good hardness of this borosilicate mineral make it truly refreshing. Named after a French paleontologist, Eugene Dumortier, dumortierite is typically blue or violet in color. It makes a delightful substitute for pricier stones; dumortierite often is mistaken for lapis lazuli, which costs up to three times more! It also looks similar to sodalite and lazurite, but blue sodalite is less dense and has whiter portions, while lazurite is not fibrous like dumortierite.
Dumortierite is considered a gemstone of order that can enhance organizational abilities and self-discipline. It is believed to release fear, bringing courage to one's life, and be a boost for creativity and expression. Major sources include Brazil, France and the U.S.A.