gemstone
Lapis Lazuli
Rock composed mainly of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness 5-6 on the Mohs scale, deep blue color with gold-colored pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness 5-6 on the Mohs scale, deep blue color with gold-colored pyrite flecks, vitreous to greasy luster, massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, predominantly originating from deposits in Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, carvings, inlay work, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for master painters.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli has been mined for over 6,000 years and was highly prized by ancient Egyptian pharaohs for funerary masks and jewelry.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich royal blue coloration interspersed with metallic gold pyrite veins. Common localities include Badakhshan, Afghanistan.
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