metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli (Fragment)
Lazurite-rich metamorphic rock
Hardness: 5.0-5.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Deep blue with white and gold inclusions, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Sodalite group (cubic), Cleavage: Poor, Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
- Hardness
- 5
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 5.0-5.5 (Mohs scale), Color: Deep blue with white and gold inclusions, Luster: Dull to vitreous, Crystal Structure: Sodalite group (cubic), Cleavage: Poor, Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed via contact metamorphism of limestone or marble; primary deposits are found in Afghanistan, dating back over 6,000 years.
Uses & applications
Used for jewelry, ornamental carvings, pigment (ultramarine), and as a collector's specimen.
Geological facts
Lapis Lazuli was ground into powder to create the expensive 'ultramarine' paint once used by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Vermeer.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its distinctive intense blue color often accompanied by gold-colored pyrite specks and white calcite veins. Found primarily in high-altitude mountain regions.
More like this
