metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Rock containing Lazurite: (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2)
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep celestial blue with golden pyrite inclusions and white calcite streaks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (as lazurite); Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep celestial blue with golden pyrite inclusions and white calcite streaks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (as lazurite); Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism where limestone or dolomite is altered by hydrothermal activity. Major deposits are found in marble. Famous deposits in Afghanistan are over 6,500 years old.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historically as a pigment (ultramarine) for paintings. Also used for cabochons, beads, and as a collector specimen.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was used in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was ground by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo and Vermeer to create the most expensive blue pigment available at the time.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic cobalt blue color, brassy yellow pyrite flecks, and white calcite veining. It is commonly found in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Canada. Unlike sodalite, it usually contains pyrite.
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