What is Lapis Lazuli – Uses, Properties, Color, and Worth

Lapis lazuli is a non-foliated metamorphic rock. “Lapis” as it is commonly called, consists of a few different minerals throughout the rock, with no distinct foliation. Lapis lazuli is more commonly found in limestone and marble.

The important mineral in lapis lazuli is lazurite which is a member of the sodalite group. This blue silicate mineral will exist at about 25% to 40% in the rock. Some of the other more common minerals found in lapis lazuli are calcite, sodalite, and pyrite. These minerals being visually present will help you when identifying lapis lazuli rock.

Due to multiple minerals within lapis lazuli, the hardness on the Mohs scale of hardness will vary. For example, the lazurite will come in at around a 5, where the calcite will be at about a 3. The stronger of the minerals, pyrite, will be at around a 6.5.

Some Common Lapis Lazuli Properties:

How is Lapis Lazuli Formed

Lapis lazuli is formed by what is known as contact metamorphism and in some cases that metamorphism can be through hydrothermal means. The mineral lazurite will replace or find its way into host rock by means of heat and pressure. This mixing with other minerals will give you lapis lazuli.

The Color of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli color is blue. The blue color can range from intense dark blue to some very light blues. At times Lapis lazuli can have a color that appears to be violet or have a greenish look. The lapis lazuli blue color will often be said as being marine blue, indigo, or a royal blue.

The blue in lapis lazuli comes from the mineral lazurite. In more particular, the presence of tri-sulfur radical anions give it its exceptional blue color. When it comes to lapis lazuli the more blue you have in the stone the more desirable the gemstone, depending on the application that is (some like the white inclusions for whatever they are using it for).

There are many specimens of lapis lazuli that can contain other minerals in them as mentioned above. If you have a lot of calcite in the stone you will see plenty of white inclusions in the stone. If you are familiar with calcite, you may note that calcite can fluoresce. So putting lapis lazuli with inclusions of calcite under a long wave UV can express some florescence, another way to identify the stone.

Pyrite is also common in lapis lazuli. Often you will see this glittering mineral sparkling within the mix of this beautiful rock, and many find this very desirable when affixed to jewelry and viewable specimens.

Uses of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is used primarily in jewelry as a gemstone. Other uses for this gemstone are few, however you can find specimens cut out into shapes and simply tumbled into smooth stones. Lapis lazuli has also been used in the past as a pigment for various applications. That use can still be seen in some places today.

Some of the jewelry Lapis lazuli can be cut for will include rings, earrings, pendants, and beads for necklaces. Additionally, I have seen watches and cufflinks using this gemstone. Lapis lazuli can be cut out into cabochons and various other items such as hearts, stars, balls, and eggs. I have even seen these carved out into dice, small bowls, and a smoking pipe.

There are those that like to wear lapis lazuli with the thoughts of the stone having powers or healing properties. Some believe that the stone will help in expressing feelings or emotions. Some may believe that there can be physical healing effects while wearing lapis lazuli.

Some call this stone the lapis lazuli friendship gem. It is believed that lapis lazuli has abilities to solidify friendships and relationships. Though many don’t carry such similar thoughts about lapis lazuli, I would think that gifting this beautiful gemstone to others could create some new friendships indeed.

These Lapis Lazuli stones are the stones pictured as the main image in this article after being tumbled. Tumbling lapis lazuli is a favorite among rock collectors.

Value and Worth of Lapis Lazuli

The worth of lapis lazuli can get very pricey. Depending on the pureness of the lapis lazuli, a very pure stone can cost you around $100 per carat, while lower grades or less pure, can be around $1 a carat.

A lapis lazuli ring can be thousands of USD. Where a sample of lapis lazuli with impurities of other minerals can be much less. As an example, a lapis lazuli sphere with desired white inclusions to look like clouds could run you around 50 USD.

The larger the specimen or size of the gemstone, expect to pay more. I have seen large specimens with few impurities go for tens of thousands of USD. In contrast, the handful of specimens displayed in the main image of this article cost around 20 USD.

Differences Between Lapis Lazuli and Other Minerals

When comparing lapis lazuli to other minerals or rocks remember that lapis lazuli is considered to be a rock. It is a composition of minerals with lazurite, the blue stuff, being the important one in the mix.

It will not have translucency or clearer crystal formations as it has no crystal system. It is a metamorphic rock and will commonly include calcite and pyrite for visual identification.

The best way to tell if lapis lazuli is real will be by its color and the imperfections that belong in it such as calcite and pyrite. Fake lapis lazuli can be hard to detect as dyes are often used to imitate the color. If you have a solid blue specimen with no impurities, you could have a fake.

Remember, that you can attempt to see the pyrite glitter in the rock from a light source. You can even put a longwave UV light on it to make sure that is calcite in there, which will fluoresce.

When purchasing lapis lazuli do so from a reputable source. One can easily be taken when purchasing this stone if not careful. Below is listed out various other rocks or minerals and their differences compared to lapis lazuli

Lapis Lazuli and Sodalite Differences

The main differences between lapis lazuli and Sodalite will be in the chemical formula, cost, and physical look. Both have a fairly complex chemical formula and have much of the same elements in them. But the composition is quite different.

Lapis lazuli is rarer than sodalite, this makes lapis lazuli more expensive. The cost for a more pure lapis lazuli can really break the bank if you must have it. When you look at lapis lazuli and sodalite you can note the texture does look quite different. At times the color, which can be a difficult determining factor between the two, can give away sodalite compared to lapis lazuli.

By visual inspection you could incorrectly say this is lapis lazuli. It is in fact sodalite.

With these two being so similar one has to be careful when buying lapis lazuli specimens. Some will sell sodalite saying it is lapis lazuli, even using a lapis lazuli price tag.

For comparison between lapis lazuli and sodalite, read this article “All About Sodalite” which can give you some extra detail about sodalite.

Lapis Lazuli and Sapphire Differences

The obvious differences between lapis lazuli and sapphire are price, chemical formula, Mohs hardness, luster, and streak. Their chemical formulas are very different, though they both have aluminum. Sapphires can be quite a bit more expensive when cut and when existing in a larger carat size.

The hardness on the Mohs scale are very different with sapphires being a 9 and lapis lazuli being around a 5. The streak is different, the luster is different, and sapphires will be very transparent. In past history, lapis lazuli was called sapphire by many. In texts of old including the bible when they mentioned sapphires, they were really referring to lapis lazuli.

Lapis Lazuli and Azurite Differences

The differences between lapis lazuli and azurite can really be found in its chemical formula. Even though they are both blue, their formulas are quite different with azurite being a copper carbonate. Lapis lazuli is a little bit harder than azurite which comes in at around a 4.

Working with lapis lazuli is much easier than working with azurite. Azurite will lose color, break, or be destroyed due to atmospheric elements fairly easy.

For comparison between lapis lazuli and azurite, read this article “All About Azurite” which can give you some extra detail about azurite.

Lapis Lazuli and Turquoise Differences

The differences between lapis lazuli and turquoise will primarily be in relation to their chemical formula as well as their difference in texture. Turquoise will have copper in its makeup and is considered a hydrated phosphate of that element.

Though they can be somewhat similar in color at times, the texture of turquoise is much like malachite. Turquoise will often have more of a greenish color to it making very distinguishable from lapis lazuli.

Lapis Lazuli and Amethyst Differences

The differences between lapis lazuli and amethyst will be very apparent, though those new to rocks and minerals can at times confuse the two. Amethyst is a silicate mineral and is purple which is far different in color to the lapis lazuli blues.

The chemical formula is far apart from the two including major differences in appearance, luster, and streak. Amethyst is often found in clusters of crystals usually in a setting within geodes. Lapis lazuli is far from that.

Where Lapis Lazuli is Found

Lapis lazuli has been found primarily in the Kokcha River valley of Badakhshan in Afghanistan. It can also be found in places like Chile’s Andes, Siberia Russia, Angola, Argentina, Burma, Canada, India, Italy, Pakistan, and in the United States territories of California and Colorado.

Most mining of lapis lazuli stone will be in the areas of Afghanistan, Russia, and Chile.