metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli (complex rock primarily composed of Lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2 with Calcite and Pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Deep celestial royal blue to violet-blue, mottled with white calcite patches and golden pyrite flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull/greasy; Crystal system: Isometric (for lazurite); Specific Gravity: 2.7 - 2.9.
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull/greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Deep celestial royal blue to violet-blue, mottled with white calcite patches and golden pyrite flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull/greasy; Crystal system: Isometric (for lazurite); Specific Gravity: 2.7 - 2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed via contact metamorphism in crystalline limestones (skarn deposits) when intrusive igneous rocks alter carbonate host rocks at high temperatures.
Uses & applications
Prized as an ornamental and decorative gemstone for thousands of years; carved into cabochons, beads, figurines, and eggs; historically ground into the prized artist pigment 'ultramarine'.
Geological facts
Mined continuously in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for over 6,500 years; famously adorned the funerary mask and treasures of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its rich azure blue color containing microscopic to visible inclusions of brassy pyrite and veins or mottling of white calcite. Major historic source is Sar-e-Sang in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, with additional deposits in Chile, Russia, and Myanmar.
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