metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli (Tumbled)
Lazurite-dominated contact metamorphic rock
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep blue with white (calcite) and gold (pyrite) inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Isometric (as lazurite); Cleavage: Poor/indistinct
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Color
- Deep blue with white (calcite) and gold (pyrite) inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs scale); Color: Deep blue with white (calcite) and gold (pyrite) inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Isometric (as lazurite); Cleavage: Poor/indistinct
Formation & geological history
Formed via contact metamorphism through the replacement of limestone or marble by hydrothermal fluids. Most deposits are thousands of years old, often found in high-altitude mountain ranges.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry, lapidary arts, decorative carvings, and historically as a pigment for ultramarine paint.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was highly prized in ancient Egypt for amulets and ornaments. It is not a single mineral but a rock composed primarily of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive celestial blue color and the presence of golden pyrite flecks. Commonly found in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Canada. Look for the 'starry night' effect of gold on blue.
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