metamorphic
Lapis Lazuli
Complex rock primarily containing Lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,Cl,SO4,OH)2
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep celestial blue to violet-blue; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Isometric (Lazurite component); Cleavage: Poor/indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
- Hardness
- 5 to 5
- Color
- Deep celestial blue to violet-blue
- Luster
- Vitreous to greasy
Identified More metamorphic →
Identify your own rocks.
Get a report just like this from any photo, free.
Physical properties
Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs); Color: Deep celestial blue to violet-blue; Luster: Vitreous to greasy; Crystal structure: Isometric (Lazurite component); Cleavage: Poor/indistinct; Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
Formation & geological history
Formed through contact metamorphism where limestone or dolostone is altered by magmatic heat. Major deposits in Afghanistan date back over 6,000 years, found primarily in marble host rocks.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in jewelry (cabochons, beads), decorative carvings, and historically ground into the pigment 'ultramarine' for fine art painting.
Geological facts
A favorite of ancient Egyptians for amulets and funeral masks (notably King Tutankhamun's mask). It is not a single mineral but a rock composed of lazurite (blue), calcite (white), and pyrite (sparkling gold).
Field identification & locations
Identify by its intense 'royal' blue color, often accompanied by white calcite streaks and gold-toned pyrite flecks. High-quality specimens are found in the Sar-e-Sang mines in Afghanistan, as well as Chile and Russia.
More like this
