Lapis Lazuli
| Property | Details |
|---|
| Mineral | Lazurite (rock containing multiple minerals) |
| Mohs Hardness | 5 – 6 |
| Refractive Index | 1.500 (approximate) |
| Major Sources | Afghanistan, Chile, Russia |
| Treatments | Dyeing and wax coating (should be disclosed) |
Overview
Lapis lazuli is an opaque deep blue gemstone that has been prized for over 6,000 years. Ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, and Babylonians used lapis in jewelry, amulets, and crushed it into powder to create the pigment ultramarine—the most expensive paint pigment in Renaissance art. The finest lapis lazuli is a uniform, intense blue with minimal visible calcite (white streaks) and attractive flecks of golden pyrite.
History & Lore
Afghanistan has been the premier source since antiquity and continues to produce the world's finest material from the Sar-e-Sang mines in Badakhshan province. The ancient Egyptians used lapis to create the iconic blue on Tutankhamun's funeral mask. Medieval painters ground lapis into ultramarine pigment, which was more expensive than gold and reserved for painting the robes of the Virgin Mary.
Quality & Value Factors
The finest lapis is an even, deep blue with no visible calcite and attractive golden pyrite flecks. Too much pyrite or calcite reduces value. Chilean lapis tends to be lighter in color and less valued than Afghan material. Lapis is relatively soft at 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, so it is best suited for earrings, pendants, brooches, and cuff links rather than everyday rings.
Care & Cleaning
Clean lapis with a damp cloth only. Never soak or expose to chemicals, ultrasonic cleaners, or steam cleaners. Lapis is porous and can absorb liquids and oils that may change its appearance.