gemstone
Lapis Lazuli
Complex silicate rock (lazurite, pyrite, calcite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep royal blue color often with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with no distinct cleavage.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale, deep royal blue color often with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure with no distinct cleavage.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, primarily occurring in ancient geological formations.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, decorative carvings, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for over 6,000 years, prized by ancient civilizations like the Egyptians.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its rich blue hue and metallic pyrite inclusions; commonly sourced from Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
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