{"product_id":"lazurite-phlogopite-calcite-pyrite-specimen","title":"208g Lazurite ps. Phlogopite on Calcite with Pyrite | Afghanistan","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a single, naturally mined mineral specimen featuring lazurite crystals that have pseudomorphed after phlogopite, set on a white calcite matrix with associated pyrite. The piece comes from Ladjuar Medam, Sar-e-Sang — the world's most historically significant lazurite locality in Badakhshan, Afghanistan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lazurite (pseudomorph after Phlogopite) on Calcite\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Minerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pyrite (golden metallic patches visible on matrix)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ladjuar Medam, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan District, Badakhshan, Afghanistan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 208 grams\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 75mm × 45mm × 45mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Isometric crystal clusters, rough-textured\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Navy blue (lazurite) on white calcite matrix with golden pyrite\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fair (F) — natural field specimen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTreatment:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Natural, Earthly Mined — No treatments applied\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVisual Description\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe specimen has dense clusters of deep navy-blue lazurite crystals distributed across a white calcite matrix. Patches of golden pyrite are on the lower portion of the matrix, creating a three-color contrast — navy, white, and gold — that is characteristic of high-quality Sar-e-Sang material. The lazurite crystals are isometric in habit and retain their natural rough texture as extracted from the host rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Lazurite\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLazurite is a tectosilicate mineral of the sodalite group with an isometric crystal system. It is the primary blue mineral component of lapis lazuli — the rock that has been mined at Sar-e-Sang for over 6,000 years. Lazurite pseudomorphs after phlogopite (a magnesium mica) are a documented occurrence at this locality, where the original mica crystal shape is preserved but the mineral composition has been replaced by lazurite during metamorphic processes. The blue color results from sulfur radical anions (S₃⁻) trapped within the aluminosilicate framework.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: What is the difference between lazurite and lapis lazu\u003cstrong\u003eli?\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLazurite is a single mineral; lapis lazuli is a rock composed primarily of lazurite along with calcite, pyrite, and other minerals. This specimen contains lazurite crystals on a calcite matrix — it is a mineral specimen, not a polished lapis lazuli rock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: What does \"pseudomorph after phlogopite\" mean in a mineral specimen\u003cstrong\u003e?\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt means the original phlogopite (mica) crystal was replaced by lazurite during metamorphism, preserving the external shape of the mica while the internal mineral composition changed entirely to lazurite.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eQ: Is this specimen treated or enhanced in any way?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This specimen is 100% natural and earthly mined with no treatments, coatings, or enhancements of any kind applied.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Folkmarketgems","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53082807763233,"sku":"LAZU-208","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0845\/4665\/0401\/files\/lazurite_on_white_marble.webp?v=1785248465","url":"https:\/\/www.folkmarketgems.com\/products\/lazurite-phlogopite-calcite-pyrite-specimen","provider":"Folkmarketgems","version":"1.0","type":"link"}