metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis Lazuli (Rock composed chiefly of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. Deep blue color with distinctive white calcite veins and brassy pyrite flecks. Vitreous to greasy luster with a massive crystal structure.
Identified More metamorphic →
Explore Lapis Lazuli in the encyclopedia →Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale. Deep blue color with distinctive white calcite veins and brassy pyrite flecks. Vitreous to greasy luster with a massive crystal structure.
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism of limestone, typically associated with intrusive igneous activity. Found primarily in Badakhshan province, Afghanistan, as well as Chile, Russia, and the USA.
Uses & applications
Widely used in jewelry, ornamental carvings, inlay work, and historically ground into ultramarine pigment for fine art.
Geological facts
Prized since ancient times by Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and Greeks, it was famously used on the funeral mask of King Tutankhamun. The golden flecks of pyrite distinguish natural lapis lazuli from synthetic substitutes.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its rich royal blue coloration combined with metallic pyrite specks and white calcite matrices. Collectors look for high lazurite content with minimal white calcite.
More like this
