Colour: Blue
Luster: Vitreous
Crystal System: Cubic crystal system
Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca)₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄ (S,SO)₄
Lazurite, the main constituent, mottled with white calcite and brassy pyrite.
Hardness (Mohs): 5-5.5
Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9
Refractive Index: 1.5
Origin of this Lapis: Badakhshan Province of Afghanistan.
This material is natural, untreated stone suitable for display or lapidary purposes.
These slabs are not polished and are straight off the saw and washed.
Photos are taken wet so to indicate the colour and pattern of the stone after it has been polished. No filters or photo editing has been undertaken to enhance colouration.
Slab measurements are approximate. When we measure a stone, we don't measure from it's extreme pointy little tips. We measure the usable body of the stone for lapidary purposes. When you receive your slab, it will be bigger than the description by 5-15mm.
Today, mines in northeast Afghanistan are still the major source of lapis lazuli. Important amounts are also produced from mines west of Lake Baikal in Russia, and in the Andes mountains in Chile. Smaller quantities are mined in Italy, Mongolia, the United States, and Canada.
The vibrant hue of the Lapis Lazuli has attracted people since time immemorial. Rich in antiquity, this semi-precious display stone is a must-have for your stone collection. The stone has a beautiful blue texture, accentuated with gold specks. Lapis was used in ancient times for making ornaments. Having a piece of stone at your home that has travelled through time is definitely a marvellous experience. It not only increases the visual appeal of your home, but it also works as a beautiful charm that reminds you of the bygone days from the pages of your history books.