Lapis lazuli: It is, known for its vibrant blue colour, has been mined for over 6,000 years, with Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province producing the highest quality.
o Blueness depends on the amount and structure of sulphur in lazurite.
o Calcite reduces blueness, while the golden sparkle comes from pyrites.
o Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province produces the highest quality, mined for over 6,000 years.
o Occurs almost exclusively in massive form without visible crystals.
o Optical Properties: Form (Granular, disseminated, or massive; rarely as dodecahedral or cube crystals), Colour (Deep blue), Relief (Low), Interference Colours (Isotropic, sometimes anomalously anisotropic)
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