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Chemical Formula: (Na, Ca)8Al6Si6O24(S,
SO4)
Mineral Name: Lazurite
Color: Varying shades of blue
Hardness: 5.5
Specific Gravity: 2.4 - 2.9
Lapis
lazuli is an opaque to translucent blue, violet-blue,
or greenish-blue semi precious gemstone composed
mainly of lazurite and calcite. It is often dyed to
deepen and improve its color and contains the minerals
calcite (which decreases its value), pyrite (which can
increase its value), and sodalite. The rich blue color
is due to the sulfur inherent in the structure of
lazurite. Lazurite is resistant to atmospheric gases,
is lightfast and possesses good hiding power. It is
durable with all other permanent pigments.
Lapis Lazuli is said to cleanse the mental body while
releasing old karmic patterns. Being a spiritual
stone, it allows spiritual energy to be absorbed in
the aura. Lazurite is currently extracted from two
regions of the former Soviet Union: Malobystrinskoye
deposit of the south Baikal region, and the
Lyadzhvardarinskoye deposit in the southwestern Pamirs
Mountains. Other significant deposits of lazurite are
found at Ovalle, Cordillera, Chile; Mt. Vesuvius,
Italy; Cascade Canyon, San Bernardino Mountains and
Ontario Peak, California, Colorado, U.S.A.
