Real Lapis Lazuli Rock

It s not easy to tell the difference between fake lapis and the real gemstone.

Real lapis lazuli rock.

Lapis lazuli ˈ l æ p ɪ s ˈ l æ zj ʊ l i l aɪ or lapis for short is a deep blue metamorphic rock used as a semi precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color. A recent sale at christies saw one of the eggs sell for 18 5 million. In its naturally found condition lapis has a matted finish which has a deep dark blue color often with golden inclusions and whitish marble veins. Differentiating a lapis lazuli stone from a fake one beauty has always been envied especially rare beauties like the lapis lazuli stone.

Lapis lazuli also known simply as lapis is a blue metamorphic rock that has been used by people as a gemstone sculpting material pigment and ornamental material for thousands of years high quality lapis lazuli can be a costly gem. The most important mineral component of lapis lazuli is lazurite 25 to 40 a feldspathoid silicate mineral with the formula na ca 8 alsio 4 6 s so 4 cl 1 2. Being exquisite and magical has its price. Lazurite itself may be considered a sulfur rich haüyne.

As early as the 7th millennium bce lapis lazuli was mined in the sar i sang mines in shortugai and in other mines in badakhshan province in northeast afghanistan. When peter carl faberge created his stunning egg sculptures for the russian czars he used lapis lazuli on many of his 58 designs. Lapis lazuli also simply referred to as lapis is actually a rock composed of lazurite haüyne sodalite and nosean all members of the sodalite group of minerals. What is lapis lazuli.

The most desirable specimens have a rich solid blue color and perhaps a few reflective pieces of gold pyrite. Each day the imitations are becoming better. Lapis lazuli artifacts. Synthetic lapis ranges significantly in quality and appearance and can be almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

The lapis lazuli has been one of the most used materials in jewelry for thousands of years and therefore it is no coincidence that it has become one of the most counterfeit stones in the world. Synthetic lapis lazuli has become increasingly abundant in recent years. For much of its existence the lapis stone has been known to give off an aura of wisdom and been linked with psychic energies. Tutankhamun s famous golden death mask uses real lapis lazuli for the eyes but fake lapis lazuli for the bands on the head dress.

These false stones have often been dyed to look like lapis or could even be poor quality lapis that has been dyed to command a higher price.