gemstone

Lapis Lazuli

Complex rock composed mainly of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite

Hardness: 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, Color: Deep blue with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins, Luster: Vitreous to greasy, Crystal structure: Isometric (individual minerals), Specific gravity: 2.7-2.9

Hardness: 5-5

Identified July 31, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically found in ancient metamorphic rocks. Major deposits are located in the mountains of Badakhshan in northeastern Afghanistan, as well as Russia, Chile, and the United States.

Uses & applications

Used extensively for jewelry, ornamental carvings, inlay work, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for master artists.

Geological facts

Lapis lazuli has been mined for over 6,500 years and was highly prized by the ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Greeks. Tutankhamun's death mask was famously inlaid with pieces of lapis lazuli.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its rich, royal blue color combined with distinctive brassy pyrite inclusions. Collectors look for a deep, saturated blue with minimal white calcite and well-distributed pyrite.

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