Lapis lazuli is a striking deep-blue metamorphic rock, which means it is not a pure mineral but rather a combination of several mineral components. It has been prized for its intense, celestial color since ancient times. The rock’s characteristic color comes primarily from the mineral lazurite, a blue feldspathoid silicate. The overall composition also typically includes white streaks of calcite and scattered, glittering specks of pyrite, which contribute to its distinctive appearance. This rock’s long history of use in art and ornamentation establishes it as one of the world’s most historically significant materials.
The Primary Source in Afghanistan
The standard of quality for lapis lazuli has always been set by the material sourced from the Sar-e-Sang mines, located in the Badakhshan province in northeast Afghanistan. These mines represent the world’s oldest continuously worked deposits, with mining activity dating back at least 6,000 to 9,000 years. The Afghan material is renowned for its intense, uniform royal blue hue, which indicates a high concentration of lazurite.
The highest-quality specimens are characterized by a deep, saturated color with minimal white calcite streaking, often complemented by fine, evenly distributed golden pyrite inclusions. This combination gives the stone a look likened to a starry night sky. Lapis from this region was transported along ancient trade routes, including the Silk Road, reaching civilizations across the Middle East and beyond.
Ancient Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Sumerians highly valued this specific source, using it for jewelry, amulets, and inlays. Perhaps the most famous example of its historical use is its incorporation into the funerary mask of the pharaoh Tutankhamun. Additionally, finely ground lapis lazuli from Afghanistan was the historical source for ultramarine, the highly prized and expensive blue pigment used by Renaissance masters.
Secondary Global Mining Locations
While the Afghan deposits are the historical and quality benchmark, lapis lazuli is also found in several other locations worldwide, though these sources generally yield material with different visual characteristics. A significant secondary source is located in the Andes Mountains near Ovalle, Chile. Chilean lapis is often easily identifiable due to its typically lighter, sometimes slightly greener blue color and a notably higher presence of white calcite veining and mottling.
The presence of excess calcite tends to dilute the deep blue color, making the Chilean variety less desirable than the Afghan stone for high-end uses. Another notable deposit is found in the Tultui lazurite deposit in the region west of Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. Russian lapis often presents a deep blue color, but its hue can sometimes carry a violet or purplish undertone.
Minor occurrences of lapis lazuli have also been identified in other countries, including Pakistan, Myanmar, and in small deposits in the United States. The visual differences in color saturation and mineral inclusion patterns often allow experts to determine the stone’s geographical origin.
Commercial Sources for Purchase
For consumers seeking to acquire lapis lazuli, the stone is available in numerous forms and across various retail channels. The rock is sold as rough, unpolished material for lapidary work, where it is cut and shaped into polished cabochons. It is also a popular material for carvings, beads, and inlay work, particularly in jewelry.
The purest, most deeply colored material is still ground into powder to be used as ultramarine pigment, which is sold through specialized art supply houses. For jewelry and gemstone collectors, high-quality lapis can be found through specialized gem dealers and high-end jewelry retailers, who often stock the deep blue Afghan material.
Online marketplaces and general metaphysical shops offer a wider range of qualities, including the more calcite-rich varieties from secondary sources. When purchasing, consumers should be aware that the price and value are heavily dependent on the color saturation, the distribution of the pyrite flecks, and the absence of distracting white calcite. Buying from reputable dealers who can verify the stone’s origin and treatment status is advisable.