{"product_id":"lazurite-crystal-on-matrix-112g","title":"112g Lazurite Crystal on White Calcite Marble Matrix — Fine Mineral Specimen, Afghanistan","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis specimen has a well-formed Lazurite crystal in deep navy-to-indigo blue, naturally seated on a pale white marble matrix. The crystal has a blocky, near-cubic habit with a slightly rough surface texture and a subtle submetallic to waxy luster visible across its faces. Smaller secondary Lazurite crystals are scattered at the base of the matrix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lazurite (primary component of Lapis Lazuli)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStone Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lazurite \/ Lapis Lazuli\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 70 × 50 × 30 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 112 grams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Navy Blue to Blue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatrix:\u003c\/strong\u003e White Marble (Calcite)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePresentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e On matrix — crystal intact on natural host rock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good (G) — natural surface, no repairs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLadjuar Medam (Lajur Madan), Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. This locality is the world's most historically significant source of Lapis Lazuli and Lazurite crystals, mined continuously for over 6,000 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTreatment \u0026amp; Authenticity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e100% Natural — Earthly Mined. No treatments, coatings, or enhancements of any kind. Genuine mineral specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eClassification\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCategory:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine Mineral Specimens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGem Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural Gemstone · Semi-Precious · Rare Gems \u0026amp; Minerals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collectible \/ Numismatic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRarity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rare\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBirthstone:\u003c\/strong\u003e September\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDeal Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Single Specimen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow does Lazurite differ from Haüyne or Sodalite?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll three belong to the sodalite mineral group and share a similar cubic crystal structure, but differ in chemical composition — Lazurite contains sulfur, giving it the intense blue color. Haüyne and Sodalite are typically lighter blue or grey and lack the deep navy saturation that makes Lazurite the defining mineral of Lapis Lazuli.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Lazurite's connection to Lapis Lazuli?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLazurite is the blue mineral responsible for Lapis Lazuli's color, typically comprising 25–40% of the rock by volume. The remaining material is a mix of white Calcite and gold-flecked Pyrite — this specimen shows that exact relationship, with Lazurite crystals growing directly on a white Calcite matrix.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow is Lazurite formed?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLazurite forms through contact metamorphism, when limestone is subjected to intense heat and pressure from nearby igneous intrusions. The process introduces sulfur-bearing fluids that react with the calcium-rich rock, crystallizing Lazurite within the marble — exactly the geological setting at Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow do you turn Lazurite into Lapis Lazuli pigment?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRaw Lapis Lazuli rock (containing Lazurite) is ground, then processed through a traditional levigation method — mixing the powder with wax, resin, and lye to separate the pure Lazurite pigment (ultramarine) from the Calcite and Pyrite. This process was used for centuries to produce the prized blue pigment found in Renaissance paintings.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Folkmarketgems","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53082806485281,"sku":"LAZU-112","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0845\/4665\/0401\/files\/Lazurite_crystal_from_Afghanistan.webp?v=1785433852","url":"https:\/\/www.folkmarketgems.com\/products\/lazurite-crystal-on-matrix-112g","provider":"Folkmarketgems","version":"1.0","type":"link"}