Lapis lazuli comes in a variety of shades of blue. The opaque crystal is loved for its brilliant shine and color. Interestingly, it is one of the oldest gemstones used for ornamental as well as healing purposes.

But did you know, that Lapis isn’t actually a mineral, rather it is a stone that comes in various mineral combinations; responsible for the variety of the shades that we see.

The major constituent of lapis is mineral Lazurite, which gives the stone its characteristic royal blue color. Other minerals associated with Lapis crystal lattice include calcite (white), Sodalite (blue) and pyrite (golden).

Remember, not all minerals are required for the stone to be termed as Lapis; the only measure of authenticity and grade of lapis stone is the percentage of Lazurite mineral (the greater, the better).

Lapis Origin

The history of the Lapis stone stretches back 7000 years; it’s importance spreading across many civilizations. There’s a rich history associated with the stone - a rich history that’s been held precarious for years. For centuries mines in Badakhshan, Afghanistan have remained the only source for the production of lapis. Even today almost all of the highest quality lapis are being produced in the Sar I Sang mines.

Other places that do produce lapis stones include Argentina, Pakistan, Russia, China and Canada and USA.

The 3 C’s of Lapis Quality

The Cut Since lapis isn’t a mineral but a rock, its hardness varies somewhere 4.5 to 5.5 on the MOHS scale. That’s why lapis cut is highly crucial for its overall appearance. The crystal of lapis is often cut in tablets, beads or cabochons. However, in past, the crystal was extensively used in making sculptures and ornaments. Though the carvings can increase the value of stone; it has no effect on its color (which is the most prized attribute of lapis). Recently free-form cut (comprising of organic to geometrical shapes).

The Clarity Lapis is an opaque crystal, which means there aren't any traditional issues of clarity in question here. However, the mineral constituents found in the stone determines the clarity/value of lapis crystal. A high calcite percentage isn’t valued well. The most determining factor for lapis quality is the amount of lazurite present. Lazurite is responsible for the deep blue color that is characteristic of the stone.