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16.46: Lapis Lazuli

Last updated

May 6, 2022
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- 16.45: Kyanite
- 16.47: Larimar

gemology
Gemology Project

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Lapis Lazuli
Chemical composition	rock consisting of lazurite, hauyne, calcite and pyrite
Habit	aggregate
Fracture	uneven
Hardness	5.5
Refractive index	1.500 - 1.670
Specific gravity	2.50 - 3.00
Lustre	resinous to vitreous

Figure $\PageIndex{1}$ : Lapis Lazuli with Pyrite inclusions

Enhancements

Common enhancements to lapis lazuli:

Fracture filling - wax (with dye or without) - conceal cracks and fractures and to improve luster
Dye - color staining - to produce evenly colored material

Images

File:Lapis Afghanistan.jpg

Figure $\PageIndex{2}$ : Untreated lapis lazuli cabochon from Afghanistan.
Image courtesy of Scott Davies.

Enhancements

Images

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