GIA

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis is a beautiful rock; an aggregate of several minerals, mainly lazurite, calcite, and pyrite.

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BUYER'S GUIDE

The finest lapis has uniform bodycolor, free of visible pyrite and calcite. Lapis often contains varying amounts of whitish calcite matrix—the host rock—or flecks or veins of yellow pyrite, or both.

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What To Look For

Color is the most important quality factor for lapis lazuli
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.

Clarity refers to lapis lazuli’s surface appearance
If the pyrite flecks are small and sprinkled attractively throughout the gem, their presence doesn’t necessarily lower lapis lazuli’s value. The lowest-quality lapis looks dull and green, the result of an excess of pyrite. Lapis with white calcite streaks is less valuable.

Cut possibilities include cabochons, beads, and carvings
Lapis lazuli is often cut into cabochons, beads, and tablets. The gem has also been popular with carvers for centuries.

Carat weights for lapis span a wide range
This lapis lazuli specimen from Afghanistan, “The Owl,” weighs about 1 kilogram. Lapis is found in all sizes and is often cut into calibrated sizes or beads.