metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Complex silicate rock (lazurite, pyrite, calcite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5-5.5 on Mohs scale, deep blue color with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5-5.5 on Mohs scale, deep blue color with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically occurring in ancient metamorphic terranes over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in fine jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli exhibits a patchy orange-yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet light due to its accessory mineral content.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich blue hue and metallic pyrite inclusions; primarily mined in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
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