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:  1/27/08    number of photos:  29
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
 

lapis, uncut
rough lapis, dry:  A
rough lapis, wet:  ABC*

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 2007-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.