rock
Lapis Lazuli
(Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2 (Complex silicate rock)
Mohs hardness of 5 to 5.5, deep blue color often with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with no distinct cleavage, specific gravity of 2.7 to 2.9.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 5 to 5.5, deep blue color often with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with no distinct cleavage, specific gravity of 2.7 to 2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically in high-temperature environments. Geological age varies widely depending on the deposit, with some of the most famous deposits dating back hundreds of millions to billions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, mosaics, inlays, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for master paintings.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli is technically a rock rather than a mineral because it is an aggregate of multiple minerals, primarily lazurite, calcite, and pyrite.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich royal blue color combined with metallic brassy pyrite inclusions. Found notably in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and the United States.
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