Lapis, Cabochons, Assorted Shapes & Sizes

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Lapis Lazuli or Lapis for short, is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. It is beautiful rock; an aggregate of several minerals, mainly lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. Calcite shows up as white streaks or patches within the darker blue or can predominate in the mix, making it a lighter blue shade and almost always lowers the value. But Pyrite inclusions enhances the look and value for many collectors and jewelry lovers.

Lapis is semi-translucent to opaque, with a waxy to glass like luster. The blue colors have been described as indigo, royal, midnight, or marine blue from medium to dark in tone.

The history of Lapis stretches back more than 6,500 years. It was treasured by the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome. They valued it for its vivid, exquisite color, and prized it as much as they prized other blue gems like Sapphire and Turquoise.

Worldwide, Lapis is mined in several areas. The traditional source of the finest Lapis is the same today as it was thousands of years ago, the mountains of Afghanistan. Other major sources are Chile and Siberia, Russia. Minor sources are Angola, Canada, Colorado, and Pakistan.

Hardness 5-6

This is a natural stone that has had no treatment other than cutting, and polishing.