metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Lazurite-rich metamorphic rock
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs), Color: Intensely deep blue with white calcite streaks and gold-colored pyrite specks, Luster: Dull to greasy (usually polished to vitreous), Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite component)
- Hardness
- 5-5
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Physical properties
Hardness: 5-5.5 (Mohs), Color: Intensely deep blue with white calcite streaks and gold-colored pyrite specks, Luster: Dull to greasy (usually polished to vitreous), Crystal Structure: Isometric (for lazurite component)
Formation & geological history
Contact metamorphism of limestone or marble; typically formed at high temperatures in crystalline limestones. The most famous deposits in Afghanistan have been mined for over 6,000 years.
Uses & applications
Used extensively in jewelry, ornamental carvings, sculpture, and historically ground into powder to create ultramarine pigment for Renaissance paintings.
Geological facts
Lapis lazuli was highly prized by Ancient Egyptians, who used it for amulets and the burial mask of Tutankhamun. The name comes from the Latin 'lapis' (stone) and the Persian 'lazhuward' (blue).
Field identification & locations
Identify in the field by its intense blue color, presence of golden pyrite flecks, and association with marble. Common locations include the Sar-e-Sang mines in Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, and Canada.
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