mineral
Lapis Lazuli
Complex silicate rock (lazurite, pyrite, calcite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5 to 5.5 on Mohs scale, deep blue color with distinctive golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal habit.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5 to 5.5 on Mohs scale, deep blue color with distinctive golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal habit.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, predominantly sourced from ancient mines in Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for master painters.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was prized by ancient Egyptian pharaohs, who used it extensively in funerary masks and royal jewelry.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich royal blue coloration combined with metallic brassy pyrite inclusions. Commonly found in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
