metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Metamorphic rock containing lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2, calcite, and pyrite)
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Intense deep blue with gold pyrite flecks and white calcite veins; Luster: Dull to vitreous (pearly when polished); Crystal Structure: Isometric (as part of lazurite); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
- Hardness
- 5 to 5
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous (pearly when polished)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Intense deep blue with gold pyrite flecks and white calcite veins; Luster: Dull to vitreous (pearly when polished); Crystal Structure: Isometric (as part of lazurite); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone or marble. It is a product of high-temperature hydrothermal activity where sulphur is introduced into the rock system. Major deposits date back millions of years, notably from the Sar-e-Sang mines in Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historical pigments (ultramarine). It was highly valued in ancient civilizations for talismans and funeral masks.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli has been mined for over 6,500 years. Renaissance painters like Vermeer and Michelangelo used ground lapis lazuli to create 'ultramarine', the most expensive blue pigment of the era.
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its characteristic 'royal blue' color and the presence of golden pyrite specks. It is most famously found in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan, though it is also sourced from Chile, Russia, and Canada.
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