Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli mineral Information
Lapis lazuli or lapis for short is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone for jewelry, it’s an aggregate of several minerals, this beautiful gem contains three minerals: lazurite, calcite, and pyrite.
In best lapis lazuli has no visible calcite and might have a bit golded pyrite flecks, but the flecks are small and sprinkled attractively throughout the gem. The lowest-quality lapis lazuli looks dull and green because it contains more excess of pyrite. If lapis Lazuli has a lot of white calcite stripe is less valuable.
Lapis Lazuli is a powerful blue gemstone. It has four tone as royal, midnight, marine blue, or indigo, best lapis lazuli’s iconic tones are violetish blue, medium to dark highly saturated blue tone. Its called “the most beautiful blue” all around the world and that has been highly respected since antiquity for its intense colors. The best colour lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan, and also is the world ’s major source of lapis lazuli.
Mineral Category: Metamorphic rock
Chemical Formula: The main constituent frequently occurs as dodecahedra
Mohs scale hardness: 5 to 5.5
Crystal System: None, as lapis lazuli is a rock.
Colour: Blue or purple mottled with white calcite and brassy pyrite