rock

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli (Metamorphic rock primarily composed of Lazurite, Calcite, and Pyrite)

Hardness: 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. Color: Deep blue with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins. Luster: Vitreous to greasy. Crystal structure: Aggregate (isometric system for main mineral lazurite). Cleavage: None (fractures conchoidal to uneven). Specific gravity: 2.7 to 2.9

Hardness: 5 to 5
Color: Deep blue with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified July 30, 2026More rock →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically associated with intrusive igneous rocks like granites, where high temperatures and pressures alter the mineral composition.

Uses & applications

Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, mosaics, inlays, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for fine art.

Geological facts

Lapis lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for over 6,000 years, and was highly prized by ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, who used it in King Tutankhamun's funeral mask.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its rich, royal blue color combined with distinctive golden brassy pyrite inclusions and white calcite streaks. Major deposits are found in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and the United States.

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