Detailed information
Species
Lazurite
Dimensions
65 x 85 x 62
mm
Weight
323 g
Locality
Sar-e Sang , Kokscha Valley Badakhshan Province Afghanistan
Condition
No recorded repairs
Lazurite is the mineral that gives lapis lazuli its blue colour, but as fine-grained intergrowths rather than discrete visible crystals. However, well-formed Lazurite crystals have occasionally been found at the lapis lazuli mines at Sar-e Sang in Kokscha Valley, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. This small cabinet specimen features an extremely large (3.5 cm long) twinned Lazurite crystal perched upon the classic contrasting white 'marble' matrix. The Lazurite displays a very deep blue colour, is opaque, and has a quite dull lustre. The crystal is well-formed and stands prominently above the matrix, but there are a few uneven surfaces indicating minor damage during preparation exposing it from the enclosing matrix. Ex David Hardman collection.