Lapis Lazuli (polished) — Sar-e-sang, Afghanistan, 92 g

Description

This is a polished block of lapis lazuli showing a rich deep-blue ground interrupted by mottled white-to-grey patches and scattered small brassy metallic flecks across its faces. It has flat polished surfaces and an angular, blocky cut that emphasises the rock’s internal patterning. The piece measures 4.8 × 3.4 × 2.5 cm and weighs 92 g. Origin is Sar-e-sang, Afghanistan, and the specimen was finished with flat polishing on its faces to produce the smooth, blocky form photographed handheld for scale. Lapis lazuli is a rock dominated by the blue mineral lazurite and commonly contains calcite (white areas) and pyrite (brassy flecks) in general terms; that broad context helps explain the colours and metallic spots visible here.