metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Primary mineral: Lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2)
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep blue, midnight blue, often with gold flecks (Pyrite) or white streaks (Calcite); Luster: Adamantine to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for Lazurite component); Cleavage: Imperfect; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9.
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Luster
- Adamantine to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep blue, midnight blue, often with gold flecks (Pyrite) or white streaks (Calcite); Luster: Adamantine to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for Lazurite component); Cleavage: Imperfect; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the contact metamorphism of limestone or marble. It is a rock, not a mineral, consisting mainly of Lazurite, but also containing Calcite, Pyrite, and Sodalite. Significant deposits are over 6,000 years old.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and inlay work. Historically ground into powder to create 'ultramarine' pigment for fine painting.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was used in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun. It was highly prized in ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt as the 'stone of the heavens.' Marco Polo visited the famous Sar-e-Sang mines in Afghanistan in 1271.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic ultramarine color and brassy gold Pyrite inclusions. High-quality specimens are opaque and deep blue. Common locations include Afghanistan (Badakhshan), Chile, Russia (Lake Baikal), and Myanmar.
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