metamorphic

Lapis Lazuli (or Sodalite)

Lapis Lazuli (principally Lazurite: Na6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)S2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5-5.5 Mohs. Color: Deep royal blue with mottled patterns, sometimes containing golden pyrite specks or white calcite veins. Luster: Vitreous to dull/greasy when polished. Structure: Aggregate rock (isometric lazurite crystals). Cleavage: Imperfect.

Hardness: 5-5
Luster: Vitreous to dull/greasy when polished

Identified July 26, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone and marble, usually in high-temperature environments created by magma intrusions.

Uses & applications

Extensively used in jewelry crafting as spherical beads, cabochons, carvings, and ornamental objects. Historically ground to create the pigment ultramarine.

Geological facts

Lapis lazuli has been mined for over 6,000 years in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. Ancient Egyptians used it for sacred amulets, scarabs, and burial masks, including King Tutankhamun's famous funeral mask.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its intense deep blue color, often accompanied by flecks of yellow pyrite (fool's gold). Sodalite is a common lookalike but usually lacks pyrite flecks and exhibits more white/grey veining.