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Lapis lazuli is valued for its dark blue to violetish blue color. Color The gem’s most-prized color is a uniform dark blue to violetish blue, without any visible calcite.
Variously described as indigo, royal, midnight, or marine blue, lapis lazuli’s signature hue is slightly greenish blue to violetish blue, medium to dark in tone, and highly saturated. In its most-prized form, lapis lazuli has no visible calcite, although it might have gold-colored pyrite flecks.
The gem 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.
Lapis lazuli is an ancient rock that is made up of three main mineral s: Lazurite, calcite , and pyrite. Lazurite is the mineral that makes it blue. Calcite is white and shows up as flecks (like speckles) or streaks. The best lapis lazuli has no calcite you can see.
Variously described as indigo, royal, midnight, or marine blue, lapis lazuli’s signature hue is slightly greenish blue to violetish blue, medium to dark in tone, and highly saturated. In its most-prized form, lapis lazuli has no visible calcite, although it might contain gold-colored pyrite flecks.
It is a type of metamorphic rock composed of blue lazurite along with other minerals such as calcite, diopside, mica and pyrite. Historically lapis lazuli was an important, long-distance, luxury trading commodity between its source in Central Asia and China, the Middle East, and then to Europe.
GIA’s Gem Encyclopedia is a virtual journey through the science and lore of gemstones from across the globe. Each precious stone page features additional detailed gemological information, a buyer’s guide, photos, videos & research.
Lapis that hasn’t been dyed might be impregnated with wax or oil to improve its color and luster. These treatments have only fair stability, and a gemologist can detect them. Cleaning. Warm, soapy water is the safest way to clean lapis lazuli. It’s best to test a small, inconspicuous area first, because some dye treatments are not stable.
apis lazuli is a rock composed of lazurite—the source of the blue color—with variable amounts L of other minerals depending on its origin and, typ-ically, small particles of pyrite. Prized for its attractive blue color, lapis lazuli was used in jewelry by some of the world’s most ancient civilizations.
The most prized lapis lazuli colors are intense medium to dark blue or violetish blue.