Lapis (Lapis Lazuli) rough materials
Lapis is a popular blue material which is opaque. The dominant mineral in high quality Lapis is the mineral Lazurite.
Lapis ranges from light blue to dark blue. Lapis is frequently included with Pyrite and/or Calcite. Many people love Lapis which is speckled with inclusions of golden Pyrite. White Calcite in the Lapis is normally considered to be less desireable.
The finest quality Lapis comes from the Panshir Valley in Afghanistan, which is a pretty dangerous part of the world. Lapis is also found in Peru and some has also been found in Western Colorado.
Lapis is a good hard material which takes a great polish and works very well for inlays, cabochons, and carvings.
You want to keep Lapis away from harsh acids. The Acids can eat away the microscopic Calcite in the Lapis and that will destroy the polish. We can re-polish it for you if that happens.
