ABS

Lapis Lazuli

The name of the gem is derived, through the medieval Latin lapis lazulus, from the Arabic word lazward, from which the word azure comes. Lapis Lazuli is a kind of blue limestone quarried in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It also called Lapis lazuli, Lapis lazuli Wild, Lapislazuli Eyes ,Lapis Silver, Lapis Lazuli Marble, Lapis lazuli Marble, Lapis Lazuli Limestone . Lapis Lazuli can be processed into Polished, Sawn Cut, Sanded, Rockfaced, Sandblasted, Tumbled and so on.

This Gemstone is one of the fewest semi-precious stones in the world of gems. The gemstone holds an exceptional and typical shade of dark blue which makes it unique hence well-known during the old ages. It is a rock, composed of the most significant mineral lazurite.

Physical properties it has a hardness of 5-5.5. The density is about 2.38-2.45 g/cm“, but may be higher in the aggregates used as an ornamental material, due to an abundance foreign minerals. The refractive index is about 1.50.

Appearance it has a uniform, massive or sometimes granular appearance, with fairly distinct crystals. It is semi opaque or opaque, with a surface that can take a good polish. It is a strong but lively blue sometimes with a hint of violet. It often contains grayish or off-white patches or veins, consisting of distinct, interwoven crystals which are minutely fringed at the edge of the patches, interpenetrated by and interwoven with the minute crystals of blue. The presence of white patches reduces the gem's value. The most highly prized varieties are those which are uniformly colored, preferably without a violet tinge. It often contains minute, scattered crystals of pyrite which do not detract from its value. It is made into spherical or curved beads and even faceted, polyhedral ones, in which the flat facets can take a very good polish. It is also fashioned into carved gems, boxes, mosaics, small ornaments, vases, and figurines, the largest of which may be tens of centimeters in size. At one time, it was much used for seal stones. The Egyptians used it for their cylindrical seals.

Distinctive features The particular, very attractive color and speckling with minute crystals of pyrite give lapis lazulian unmistakable appearance. As for the physical properties, the density of gem-quality material is very variable due to the presence of pyrite and other foreign minerals. On contact with a minute drop of hydrochloric acid, lapis lazuli immediately gives of an odor of hydrogen sulphide (like the smell of rotten eggs).