metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Complex rock mainly composed of Lazurite, Calcite, and Pyrite)
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep royal blue, often with gold pyrite flecks and white calcite streaks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Specific gravity: 2.7-2.9.
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Lapis Lazuli in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Deep royal blue, often with gold pyrite flecks and white calcite streaks; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Specific gravity: 2.7-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone or marble subjected to heat and hydrothermal activity, which replaces original minerals with lazurite and other feldspathoids.
Uses & applications
Widely used in gemstone jewelry, carved ornaments, beads, and historically ground into powder to create the precious artist pigment ultramarine.
Geological facts
Lapis Lazuli has been mined for over 6,000 years, with the oldest known mines in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. It was highly prized in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia for amulets and funerary masks.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its rich deep blue color with distinctive metallic brassy pyrite specks and white veinlets. Major deposits are in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Myanmar.
More like this
