Lapis Lazuli is a blue, greenish blue or purple blue rock with complex mixture of several minerals. It is also called lazurite in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. It is extensively used for making beads, rings, earrings and necklaces.

Lapis Lazuli is known for its royal blue color which is the most expensive blue stone of all. The most pleasuring color of lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan (middle-east), popularly known as Afghan blue in trade. In Afghanistan several mosques walls are decorated with this stone. Argentinian lapis lazuli is also of a high quality. A pale blue variety occurs in the former USSR and in Chile Lapis lazuli from the USA is a darker shade of blue; Canadian specimens are lighter blue.

The structure of lapis lazuli includes veins of calcite (generally white in color) and yellow metallic pyrite crystals. Price of a lapis lazuli can be determined by its natural royal blue color, with or without crystals of calcite and pyrite. Lapis Lazuli barely having any crystals / veins of calcite but having crystals / veins of pyrite generally has a higher price.

Lapis Lazuli has been imitated by dyed sodalite, stained jasper, and by paste with inclusions of copper. Imitations lapis lazuli is also produced by Pierre Gilson in France, and has a very similar composition to natural lapis lazuli.

It is believed that lapis lazuli is one of the most powerful stones; it increases awareness, creativity, the skeletal system, and thyroid, unlocks mysteries, and helps to open one's mind. It has been worn in the belief that it will protect the wearer from evil.

Chemical Composition: 

Complex aggregate of several minerals Hauynite, Pyrite, Sodalite, Noselite, Lazurite, Calcite.

Classification / Type: 

It is a rock, not a mineral.

Colors / Varieties: 

Blue, greenish blue, purple blue, may contain specks of pyrite and white veins of calcite.

Transparency: 

Semi Transparent to opaque.

Crystal System / Forms: 

All the minerals present are of cubic system. It is compact and massive.

Hardness: 

5.5

Specific Gravity: 

2.70 - 2.90 (2.75). Increases with presence of pyrite.

Cleavage / Fracture: 

None / Uneven.

Optic Character: 

S.R. (Opaque)

Lustre: 

Waxy to vitreous.

Refractive Index / Birefringence: 

1.50 (Spot R.I.); may show 1.67 due to calcite.

Pleochroism: 

None.

Dispersion: 

None.

Magnification: 

Presence of calcite veins, yellow metallic pyrite crystal, sometime dark blue rings around pyrite, texture and grain size is irregular.

U.V. Fluorescence: 

Shortwave: Green to yellowish green. Longwave: The calcite veins show pink, orange spots.

Spectrum: 

Not characteristic.

Cause of Color: 

The blue color is due to a combination of the blue minerals sodalite, noselite and lazurite.

Treatment (Enhancement): 

• Colorless impregnation: waxing or oiling to improve overall lustre.
• Colored impregnation (dyeing): dye spectrum is seen, blue color in cracks and calcite cleavage planes, in some cases rubbed with a cotton swab dipped in acetone the blue color comes off.

Specific Tests: 

Reacts to hydrochloric acid by giving a rotten egg smell and if calcite is present, it may effervesce.

Synthesis: 

None.

Simulants (with separation tests): 

• Gilson Lapis Lazuli: is an imitation made up of synthetic ultramarine (a pigment), hydrous zinc phosphates and may contain pyrite. (R.I. 1.55, S.G. 2.3 - 2.5, texture and grain size are uniform and regular)
• Dyed blue jasper / Swiss lapis lazuli (R.I., spectrum, structure)
• Sodalite (structure, S.G.)
• Synthetic spinel sintered (R.I., S.G., spectrum)
• Dyed blue howlite (R.I., S.G., spectrum)

Geological Occurrence: 

Compact masses in limestone, in granites.

Sources: 

Afghanistan, Siberia, Myanmar, U.S.A., (California), Chile.

Cuts & Uses: 

Cabochon, carving, seal stones, beads, etc.