metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lazurite-rich metamorphic rock ((Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2)
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep blue with gold-colored pyrite specks and white calcite veins; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Structure: Granular/Massive; Cleavage: None/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
- Hardness
- 5 to 5
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep blue with gold-colored pyrite specks and white calcite veins; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Structure: Granular/Massive; Cleavage: None/Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism, where heat and pressure transform limestone or marble into a dense blue rock. Frequently found in hydrothermal deposits and skarns. Geological age varies but classic sources in Afghanistan date back over 6,000 years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, high-end tiling, and historically as the pigment ultramarine for fine art painting. Highly valued by collectors for intense color saturation.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was used in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was ground up by Renaissance artists like Michelangelo to create the vibrant blue of the Sistine Chapel. It is not a single mineral but a rock composed mainly of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive 'royal blue' color and the presence of glittering brass-yellow pyrite inclusions. It produces a blue streak if rubbed on porcelain. Major primary sources are Afghanistan (Sar-i Sang), Chile, and Russia.
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