metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli (complex rock; primarily Lazurite: (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2)
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep blue with white streaks and gold flecks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal system: Isometric (Lazurite component); Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
- Hardness
- 5 to 5
- Color
- Deep blue with white streaks and gold flecks
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep blue with white streaks and gold flecks; Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal system: Isometric (Lazurite component); Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed through the contact metamorphism of limestone or marble. It occurs in crystalline limestones as a result of regional or contact metamorphism. The world's most famous deposits have been mined for thousands of years in Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry, ornamental carvings, and historically as a pigment (ultramarine) for painting and cosmetics.
Geological facts
It has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. It was used in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun and was the primary source for the pigment ultramarine, used by Renaissance artists like Vermeer and Michelangelo.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic intense royal blue color and the presence of golden pyrite inclusions and white calcite veining. Commonly found in Afghanistan, Russia, and Chile. Collectors should check for even dye colors which might indicate a synthetic or treated piece.
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