Crystal & mineral guide
Lapis Lazuli
Rock (lazurite ± calcite ± pyrite)
Ancient royal-blue gem rock — Afghan Badakhshan still leads fine trade grades.
Identify Lapis Lazuli with RockScanAbout Lapis Lazuli
Lapis is a rock, not a single mineral. Top grades show uniform ultramarine with minimal white calcite and attractive gold pyrite sparkle. Long traded along Silk Road routes into Arabian and Mediterranean markets; still a souk staple for beads and inlays.
Lapis Lazuli belongs in a crystal identifier workflow because photo cues — color zoning, crystal habit, and surface luster — combine with measurable traits like Mohs 5–5.5 and specific gravity 2.7–2.9. Use RockScan’s camera to get a first-pass ID, then confirm with the checklist below.
Lapis Lazuli properties
| Mohs hardness | 5–5.5 |
|---|---|
| Crystal system | Cubic (lazurite) |
| Luster | Dull to vitreous |
| Color | Deep royal blue with pyrite flecks |
| Composition | Lazurite-rich metamorphic rock |
| Formation | Contact metamorphism of limestones |
| Occurrence | Afghanistan (Badakhshan), Chile, Russia |
| Specific gravity | 2.7–2.9 |
| Cleavage | Imperfect (lazurite) |
How to identify Lapis Lazuli
- Opaque royal blue with pyrite
- White calcite lowers grade
- Dyed jasper/howlite fakes exist
Collector notes
- Found in Tutankhamun's burial mask inlays
- Ground lapis made historic ultramarine paint
Value context: Afghan material with rich color and little calcite leads the market.
Lapis Lazuli FAQ
How do you identify Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli (Rock (lazurite ± calcite ± pyrite)) is typically recognized by deep royal blue with pyrite flecks color, dull to vitreous luster, Mohs hardness 5–5.5, and cubic (lazurite) crystal system. RockScan can suggest Lapis Lazuli from a photo and surface these checks on the result card.
What is Lapis Lazuli made of?
Lapis Lazuli composition: Lazurite-rich metamorphic rock. It forms via contact metamorphism of limestones and is found in Afghanistan (Badakhshan), Chile, Russia.
Is Lapis Lazuli valuable?
Afghan material with rich color and little calcite leads the market.
