gemstone

Lapis Lazuli

Complex silicate rock containing lazurite, pyrite, and calcite

Hardness: 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Deep blue with golden pyrite inclusions and white calcite veins; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for individual mineral components); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9

Hardness: 5-5
Luster: Vitreous to greasy

Identified August 2, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically associated with intrusive igneous rocks, over millions of years.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, inlay work, and historically as a pigment for ultramarine paint.

Geological facts

Lapis lazuli has been prized since antiquity, used by the ancient Egyptians in funeral masks, such as that of Tutankhamun, and ground into powder for Renaissance masterpieces.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its rich royal blue color combined with distinctive golden pyrite flecks. Major deposits are found in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.

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