metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Complex rock containing Sodalite, Lazurite, Calcite, and Pyrite)
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep royal blue with inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite component); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7–2.9
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Color
- Deep royal blue with inclusions
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep royal blue with inclusions; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite component); Cleavage: Indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7–2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism where limestone or marble is altered by hydrothermal activity. Major deposits date back thousands of years, primarily found in the Sar-i Sang mines of Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Primarily used for jewelry, lapidary carvings, and historically as a pigment (ultramarine) in Renaissance paintings.
Geological facts
Lapis Lazuli has been mined for over 6,000 years. It was highly prized by Ancient Egyptians for amulets and death masks, such as the funeral mask of Tutankhamun.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its intense blue streak and the presence of gold-colored pyrite specks or white calcite veining. Commonly found in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Canada.
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