Lapis lazuli is a stunning rock that looks like a piece of the night sky with its deep blues and twinkling golden stars. It’s made up mainly of lazurite, which gives it that cool blue color, and tiny flecks of pyrite. Sometimes, it also has white lines of calcite.

Because of what lapis lazuli looks like, artists used to grind it up into a powder to make a super expensive blue paint called ultramarine. It was so prized that only the most important paintings would use it.

But there’s more to this gem than this. There are different types of lapis lazuli depending on its color and origin. As we discover each of them, you’ll see for yourself how diverse this incredible natural wonder can be. Let’s begin!

The 4 Different Types Of Lapis Lazuli And What They Look Like

For thousands of years, lapis lazuli has been loved by people all over the world. If you think it’s because of its beauty, think again. The value of lapis lazuli isn’t just about how it looks, but also about its rich history and how rare it is.

There are different lapis lazuli types, each with its special look and story, such as:

Afghan Lapis Lazuli (Persian Lapis Lazuli)

Afghan or Persian lapis lazuli has a deep blue color that looks like the night sky filled with stars.

What sets it apart from other types of lapis lazuli are its unique gold flecks of pyrite that sparkle beautifully. This rock also has very little white calcite, which means its blue color is more uniform and vibrant.

It was so treasured that it was used in some of the most famous artworks and decorations throughout history, including the funeral mask of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Its deep, celestial blue can’t be matched by any other stone, which is why it’s been a symbol of royalty and wisdom for centuries. In fact, it was once more precious than gold to some cultures.

Where you can find Afghan lapis lazuli (Persian lapis lazuli)

The stunning Afghan or Persian lapis lazuli comes from the Sar-e-Sang mines, nestled in the Kokcha River valley. Its mines, located in a remote, mountainous region, have a history of lapis lazuli extraction going back thousands of years.

Chilean Lapis Lazuli

Chilean lapis lazuli has unique shades of blue that can range from light sky blue to deep violet-blue. It has striking white calcite streaks that weave through the stone.

These white streaks give it a distinctive look that’s different from the more uniformly blue lapis lazuli found in other parts of the world.

This unique color and pattern make it a favorite among jewelers and artists. The contrast between the blue and white in the stone can create stunning jewelry and art pieces.

Chilean lapis lazuli is also known as “the stone of the Andes” because of the mountain range where it’s found. This area is one of the few places in the world where high-quality lapis lazuli is mined, making it a rare and precious find.

Where you can find Chilean lapis lazuli

Chilean lapis lazuli comes from the Flor de Los Andes mine, tucked away in the towering Andes Mountains. It’s one of the few places in the world where you can find this beautiful stone.

The lapis lazuli here grows in rugged, high-altitude locations that are challenging to reach, making the mining process quite an adventure.

Russian Lapis Lazuli (Siberian Lapis Lazuli)

Russian lapis lazuli usually shows a stunning spectrum of blue hues, but what makes it special is the presence of beautiful white and gray inclusions, along with the sparkly pyrite.

These inclusions give Russian lapis lazuli a sort of marbled appearance, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.

It’s been used in Russian art and architecture for centuries. Its deep blue shades are often associated with royalty and wisdom.

It was a favorite among the Russian nobility, especially during the 18th and 19th centuries. It was often used in the most luxurious and elaborate settings, from decorating cathedral interiors to being crafted into exquisite pieces of jewelry.

Where you can find Russian lapis lazuli (Siberian lapis lazuli)

Russian lapis lazuli is usually found in the majestic Siberian region, a place known for its harsh climate and breathtaking landscapes. This area is full of rugged mountains and deep valleys.

Italian Lapis Lazuli

Unlike the uniformly deep blue seen in other types, Italian lapis lazuli often showcases a lighter, more varied blue, sometimes mingled with white and gray hues. This mixture gives it a softer appearance.

Italy, with its rich history of art and culture, has treasured this stone for centuries, using it in magnificent works of art and architecture. This connection to history makes Italian lapis lazuli a piece of cultural heritage.

It even has a role in the Renaissance. Artists of the time greatly sought after it for its beautiful color, grinding it into powder to create an ultramarine pigment that was used in some of the period’s most exquisite paintings.

Despite its rarity, Italian lapis lazuli continues to be valued for its beauty and historical connections.

Where you can find Italian lapis lazuli

Italian lapis lazuli is quite a rare find. This beautiful stone isn’t as widely known because Italy isn’t a major source of lapis lazuli today.

Historically, though, Italy was celebrated for its artistic use of this gem, especially during the Renaissance. The locations where it naturally occurs are usually associated with historic mines and natural formations in the Italian Alps.