Lapis Lazuli
An aggregate of lazurite, hauyne, sodalite, and nosean. In Babylonia and Egypt, it was traded at a higher value than gold and was used for murals and amulets.
The beautiful brilliance of Lapis Lazuli
Basic Information
| English Name | Lapis Lazuli |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | Seikinseki |
| Chemical Formula | Aggregate of 4 minerals |
| Classification | Isometric system |
| Hardness | 5–5.5 |
| Specific Gravity | 2.38–2.95 |
Characteristics & Variations
- Lapis Matrix: Varieties with significant gray or white spots or striping
- Banded Lapis Lazuli: Lapis lazuli distributed in bands across a white host rock
Origin, Aliases, Treatments, & Simulants
Treatments: Dyeing, impregnation, and coating are sometimes performed
Simulants: Sodalite-nepheline syenite: Varieties from Canada and North Korea are known; the North Korean material is most similar to Chilean lapis