metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Complex silicate rock (lazurite, calcite, pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep blue color with white calcite streaks and golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal habit.
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Physical properties
Hardness of 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep blue color with white calcite streaks and golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal habit.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, predominantly originating from ancient deposits in Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Widely used in high-end jewelry, decorative carvings, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli has been mined for over 6,000 years and was used extensively by ancient Egyptian pharaohs for funerary masks and jewelry.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic deep blue color mixed with metallic gold pyrite flecks; found primarily in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
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