metamorphic

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli (Primary mineral: Lazurite, (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

Hardness: 5 to 5.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Intense deep blue (royal blue) with gold flecks (pyrite) and white veins (calcite); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite component); Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9.

Hardness: 5 to 5
Luster: Dull to vitreous

Identified April 23, 2026More metamorphic →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through contact metamorphism, where limestone or marble is altered by heat and pressure from nearby igneous intrusions. Most famous deposits are over 6,000 years old.

Uses & applications

Used primarily in jewelry (beads, cabochons), ornamental carvings, and historically ground into the pigment 'ultramarine' for fine art. Also a popular collector's stone.

Geological facts

Lapis lazuli was highly prized by ancient Egyptians, who used it for amulets and the funeral mask of Tutankhamun. The gold-colored flecks often mistaken for gold are actually iron pyrite ('fool's gold').

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct 'lapis blue' color, associated streaks of white calcite, and metallic gold-colored pyrite specks. Found primarily in Afghanistan (Sar-i Sang), Russia, Chile, and Canada.