metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli (Complex rock consisting mainly of Lazurite: (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2)
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep blue with gold flecks (pyrite) and white veins (calcite); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (lazurite grains); Specific gravity: 2.7-2.9.
- Hardness
- 5-5
- Luster
- Dull to vitreous
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep blue with gold flecks (pyrite) and white veins (calcite); Luster: Dull to vitreous; Crystal Structure: Isometric (lazurite grains); Specific gravity: 2.7-2.9.
Formation & geological history
Formed by contact metamorphism, where limestone or marble is altered by hydrothermal processes. Major deposits date back thousands of years, typically found in crystalline marble environments.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in jewelry (beads, cabochons, carvings), decorative objects, and historically as a pigment (ultramarine) for fine art painting.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan for over 6,000 years. It was highly prized by Ancient Egyptians for amulets and funeral masks, most famously seen on the mask of Tutankhamun.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its characteristic intense 'royal blue' color accompanied by metallic gold-colored pyrite inclusions and white calcite. Found primarily in Afghanistan (Sar-i Sang), Chile, Russia, and Myanmar.
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