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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the golden flecks in lapis lazuli?
The golden metallic flecks in lapis lazuli are pyrite, an iron sulfide mineral. Small, evenly distributed pyrite flecks are considered attractive and can add to the stone's value, creating a starry night sky effect. However, large concentrations of pyrite or large pyrite patches can detract from the stone's beauty and reduce value. The ideal lapis has a uniform deep blue color with subtle, scattered pyrite accents.
What is the white in lapis lazuli?
The white patches or veins in lapis lazuli are calcite, a common mineral that forms alongside lazurite in the rock. Too much visible calcite reduces the quality and value of lapis lazuli because it dilutes the deep blue color. The finest lapis has no visible calcite. Some calcite is tolerable if the overall appearance remains predominantly deep blue, but heavily calcite-veined lapis is considered lower grade.
Why was lapis lazuli used to make paint?
For centuries, the only way to create a true, vivid blue paint pigment was to grind lapis lazuli into a fine powder called ultramarine. This pigment was more expensive than gold and was reserved for the most important subjects in Renaissance paintings, particularly the robes of the Virgin Mary. The process of extracting the pure blue pigment was laborious and wasteful, requiring large quantities of lapis. Synthetic ultramarine was finally developed in the 1820s, ending the need for natural lapis pigment.
Is lapis lazuli durable enough for jewelry?
Lapis lazuli ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it softer than many gemstones. It is best suited for earrings, pendants, brooches, and cuff links that receive less abrasion. Lapis can be used in rings with protective settings, but daily wear will eventually show scratches. Because lapis is porous, avoid exposing it to chemicals, perfumes, and prolonged water contact.
Where does the best lapis lazuli come from?
Afghanistan has been the premier source of lapis lazuli for over 6,000 years. The Sar-e-Sang mines in the Badakhshan province produce the world's finest material, characterized by an intense, uniform deep blue color. Chile is the second most important source but typically produces lighter-colored material. Russia, Pakistan, and other countries also produce lapis lazuli, but Afghan material remains the standard of quality.
Specialty & Collector Gemstones