metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Primary mineral: Lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2)
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep blue with gold-colored pyrite specks and white calcite; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (as lazurite); Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9.
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Color
- Deep blue with gold-colored pyrite specks and white calcite
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep blue with gold-colored pyrite specks and white calcite; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (as lazurite); Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed by contact metamorphism of limestone and marble. Most famously sourced from the Sar-e-Sang mines in Afghanistan, which have been active for over 6,000 years.
Uses & applications
Primarily used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and pigments (traditionally for ultramarine paint). Highly valued by specimen collectors.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was used in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was the source of the most expensive pigment during the Renaissance, known as ultramarine.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its intense 'Royal Blue' color and the presence of metallic gold-colored pyrite inclusions. Common locations include Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Canada.
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