16.46: Lapis Lazuli

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Page ID: 4733

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.

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