LAPIS LAZULI (LAJEVARD)


What is Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)

Lapis Lazuli is a Latin word Lapis means Stone whereas, Lazuli means Genitive form of Medieval. It is known as “Lazaward” in Arabic and “Lajevard” in Persian.

Lapis Lazuli is a bright blue metamorphic rock which largely consists of Lazurite 25% - $40%. Lapis Lazuli also contain Calcite which gives it a white color, Sodalite results in blue and Pyrite which gives a golden colored small spots or lines.

Lapis lazuli is very opaque and comes in many hues of Blue. It comes in blue or purplish shades with either white layers of Calcite or golden of Pyrite.

Lapis Lazuli with Calcite is considered of less value but the one with rich blue color and golden Pyrite is valued a lot.

Lapis Lazuli has a very rich history it has been used by many ancient empires and it goes back to more than 6500 years. It was valued a lot by Civilizations like Egypt, Rome, Mesopotamia and many others.

Badakhshan a province in Afghanistan is rich with the most beautiful Lapis Lazuli and it the ancient source of Lapis Lazuli and still is the largest producer of this beautiful stone.

It stretches back to 700 BC when it was known as Bactria and it was even then exported to Greek, India, Mesopotamia, Persia, Rome and Egypt. Even Marco Polo has written about these mines of Afghanistan in 1271.

Lapis Lazuli has been a valued a lot in history as it was use in jewelry, Daggers, Bows and Beads of rich blue color.

The Renaissances valued Lapis Lazuli a lot as they use to make Ultramarine a powdered form of Lapis Lazuli. That powder of Lapis Lazuli weas used in paintings. Those paintings are valued a lot for example “The Virgin in Prayer by Giovanni Battista, 1640 – 1650”, “The Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, 1889” and many more

Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone and is placed 5 – 5.5 out of 10 on Mohs Hardness Scale.

Its main source is Afghanistan where many are under dispute because they are taken by Taliban and they use it for there funding.  The even threat the miners to give them money if they want to mine.

Rest Lapis Lazuli is also found in Russia, Chile the stone here is pale and with Calcite. Very little amount in USA, Canada, Pakistan and Italy.

Origin of Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)


Afghani Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)

Afghanistan is the main rich source of high quality beautiful Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard). It is found in Badakhshan Province which consists thousands of small mines in working condition.

Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) is also said to be a stone of conflict because much of the area is under Taliban control and they have been extracting it illegally.

They even take protection money from the mine owners, they even capture Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) extracted for funding in war and terrorism.

Government is trying hard to sort out this issue as it is one of the rich source of earning money by exporting it to different countries. As Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) of Afghanistan has a mesmerizing beauty and amazing quality.

It’s also said that when one looks at a beautiful Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) whatever the source they call it Afghani or Persian.

It comes in rich blue or violet blue color with no or very little Pyrite or Calcite.


Russian Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)

Russian Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) is very famous after Afghanistan and is also value a lot. It is found in west of Lake Baikal Siberia.

It is also of very demanding quality and is known by Siberian or Russian Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard).

It comes in many shades of blue and intensity but mostly is towards blue color and it shows presence of Pyrite and Calcite in it.


Chilean Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)

Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) of Chile is also found in abundance but it is not of that high quality as Afghani or Russian.

It has a pale blue color and spots or matrix of Calcite which are not of that much value in the market, but yet some beautiful stones are being extracted.

Andes Mountain in Chile are famous for producing beautiful Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard).


American Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)

American Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) are not that much famous but yet a very small amount is being extracted from USA.

They are found in California, Colorado and Arizona. Though it’s less in number but yet a few are of good quality.


 Pakistani Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard)

Pakistani Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) are again not of that quality and are found in very less amount.

Yet a few are of quality worth buying but it is not an abundant source of Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) producing Country.

Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) are often found in Baluchistan Province as it has rugged mountain ranges.

Makran, Toba Kakar, Sulaiman and Kirthar where not only a few Lapis Lazuli (Lajevard) are found but other gems are found in large number.

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