mineral
Lapis Lazuli
Complex silicate rock (lazurite, calcite, pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5-5.5 on Mohs scale, deep royal blue color with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal habit.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5-5.5 on Mohs scale, deep royal blue color with golden pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal habit.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, predominantly mined in the Sar-e-Sang district of Badakhshan, Afghanistan.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in high-end jewelry, ornamental carvings, inlay work, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment.
Geological facts
Prized by ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, who used it extensively in funerary masks and royal jewelry.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic deep blue hue combined with metallic golden pyrite inclusions; found globally in jewelry markets.
