metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli (rock composed mainly of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep royal blue color often with white calcite veins and golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep royal blue color often with white calcite veins and golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically in ancient orogenic belts over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, inlay work, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for over 6,000 years and was prized by ancient Egyptian pharaohs.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich blue color combined with metallic brassy pyrite inclusions; source locations include Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
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