Lapis Photos               
Cochise College                                                                                                          
Photos of Gemstones
Translucent Gemstones

Virtual Geology Museum
Hall of Gemstones
Geology Home Page
Roger Weller, geology instructor                       

wellerr@cochise.edu

 

Lapis
last edited:  12/2/11    number of photos:  30
Lapis is the mineral, lapis lazuli,
3NaAlSiO4.Na2S

hardness: 5 to 6

lapis lazuli as a mineral

cabochons                                                           
lapis cabochons:  A  B

lapis in jewelry

lapis rings:  A  B

lapis beads:  A
lapis necklace: 
A
giant lapis table, Russia:  A*
 

lapis, uncut
rough lapis, dry:  A
rough lapis, wet: 
A B C*

lapis, tumbled:  A  B  C
lapis, polished specimens from Afghanistan: 
A  B  C  D  E  F 
  
G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O
lapis from Chile: 
A


Photos are copyright free for non-commercial educational uses.                                                                             
Just credit photos to R.Weller/Cochise College.
copyright 2011-R.Weller

information on lapis
     The full correct name for lapis is lapis lazuli. It is a metamorphic material that is
created when an impure limestone is baked by contact with a granite intrusion.
Surprisingly,
lapis is a combination of four minerals: hauynite, sodalite, noselite, and lazurite with minor
inclusions of pyrite (yellow metallic specks) and calcite (white). The most desirable lapis has
a dark, rich blue color with minimal pyrite.  Most lapis comes from the Badakshan district in
northeastern Afghanistan.