Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone formed by metamorphic processes during times of high temperature and pressure.   This rock is compsed of blue lazurite, white calcite, blue sodalite and pyrite.  It is often confused with sodalite, which is similar but does not contain pyrite.  It is most commonly found in Afganistan, created by the intensely high pressure of the formation of the Himalayas.

Lapis lazuli has been mined for almost 10,000 years in Afghanistan.  It was highly valued by the Indus Valley Civilization between 3300-1900 BC.  Gemstones and beads were used for ornamentation, including the funeral mask of King Tut.  After the middle ages, lapis lazuli was exported to Europe where it was used to make the ultramarine paint, an expensive paint that was used primarily for emphasis and royalty.

If you like this mineral, you may also like shattuckite and chrysocolla.

Please enlarge and view the photographs for more detailed views. Shown wet to simulate polish. As with all natural rock, there may be fractures or pits to seal or work around. This material has a lot of pits and druzy cavities between the layers. Each slab has the approximate dimensions listed. I use the longest and widest point and the thinnest, it’s not averaged.


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