metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (contains lazurite, calcite, pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectDeep blue color often with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins; hardness of 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale; opaque with a dull to greasy luster.
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Physical properties
Deep blue color often with golden pyrite flecks and white calcite veins; hardness of 5-5.5 on the Mohs scale; opaque with a dull to greasy luster.
Formation & geological history
Formed by contact metamorphism of limestone or marble; predominantly mined in the Sar-e-Sang deposits of Afghanistan, dating back millions of years.
Uses & applications
Historically ground into ultramarine pigment for paints; widely used today in jewelry, carvings, and ornamental objects.
Geological facts
Prized since antiquity, it was used extensively in ancient Egyptian artifacts, including King Tutankhamun's burial mask.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its intense, opaque blue color mixed with brassy pyrite inclusions and softer white calcite; commonly found in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
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