metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Rock containing Lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,SO4,Cl)1-2, Calcite, and Pyrite)
Hardness: 5.0 to 5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep celestial blue to violet-blue; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
- Hardness
- 5
- Color
- Deep celestial blue to violet-blue
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 5.0 to 5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep celestial blue to violet-blue; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite crystals); Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed via contact metamorphism through the hydrothermal alteration of limestone or marble; most famous deposits in Afghanistan date back over 6,000 years.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and historically ground into 'ultramarine' pigment for fine art.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was used in the funerary mask of Tutankhamun and was favored by painters like Vermeer and Michelangelo for its vibrant blue pigment.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic intense blue color and the presence of golden pyrite flecks (distinguishes it from sodalite). Common locations include Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Canada.
More like this
