Appearance
These are highly sought after and typically dodecahedral. The majority of lazurite is found in either large or scattered grains. It’s not very common to find lapis lazuli. It is the result of contact metamorphism in crystalline limestones. The finest lapis lazuli has a dark blue color with traces of pyrite and calcite. Lapis lazuli was one of the first stones to be used as eye makeup in addition to being used as a gemstone.
Geographical Distribution
Exceptional crystals from the Afghan province of Badakhshan, Sar-e-Sang.
Material with well-crystallization from the Sayan Mountains, Slyudyanka and Bystraya River basins, and the area around Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia.
In the Pamir Mountains of Tajikistan, close to Ishkashima, is Lyadzhuar-Drinks.
from the Alban Hills in Lazio, Italy, and Monte Somma in Campania.
History
It was believed that unique crystals were extremely rare until a significant quantity was discovered in 1990s coming out of mines in Badakhshan,
Chemical Composition
Na4-5Al3Si3012S, containing trace amounts of isomorphous substitution sodalite and hauynite molecules.
Uses
For carvings and other uses, lapis lazuli is greatly valued as a decorative stone. It was once employed as the paint pigment ultramarine in powder form. Nowadays, ultramarine is made synthetically.
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