mineral
Lapis Lazuli
Complex silicate rock (lazurite, calcite, pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep blue color with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, isotropic crystal system.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep blue color with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, isotropic crystal system.
Formation & geological history
Forms through contact metamorphism of limestone, predominantly sourced from ancient mines in Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in high-end jewelry, carvings, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for master painters.
Geological facts
Prized by ancient Egyptian pharaohs and Mesopotamian civilizations, lapis lazuli was frequently buried in royal tombs as a stone of the gods.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich royal blue coloration interspersed with brassy pyrite veins; commonly found in major deposits in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
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