Almost everyone has heard the term "Conflict" and "Blood" Diamonds and of wars fought over gemstones, especially Diamonds. But there is another kind of danger also associated with the digging of gemstones - location. War or no war, Lapis Lazuli has been mined in the Badakhshan province of Afghanistan for well over 6,000 years, and trade in the stone is ancient enough for Lapis jewelry to have been found at Predynasty Egyptain sites. But these Lapis mines are very remote and high in the mountains and located in the face of sheer cliff walls. But Lapis is so popular, that this Lapis from Afghanistan as well as other locations world wide, it makes the dangers worthwile..
This necklace design combines a wire-wrapped oval Chrysocolla-Lapis pendant with Lapis Lazuli nuggets and antique golden beads completed with a gold plated toggle clasp . Matching French hook dangle earrings complete the set.
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Lapis Lazuli is a rock, not a mineral: whereas a mineral has only one constituent, Lapis Lazuli is formed from more than one mineral. The main component of lapis lazuli is Lazurite, and a feldspathoid silicate mineral. Most Lapis Lazuli also contains Calcite (white), Sodalite (blue), and Pyrite (metallic yellow). There can also be other possible constituents and trace amounts of other minerals. Lapis lazuli usually occurs in crystalline marble as a result of contact metamorphism. The finest color is intense blue, lightly dusted with small flecks of golden Pyrite. Stones with no white Calcite veins and only small Pyrite inclusions are more prized. Patches of Pyrite are an important help in identifying the stone as genuine and do not detract from its value. Often, inferior Lapis is dyed to improve its color, producing a very dark blue color with a noticeable grey cast which may also appear as a milky shade. Lapis takes an excellent polish and can be made into jewelry, carvings, boxes, mosaics, ornaments, and vases.
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Chrysocolla-Lapis -- Chrysocolla is of secondary origin and forms in the oxidation zones of copper ore bodies. It is typically found as glassy botryoidal or rounded mass with crusts or vein fillings. Because of its light color, it is sometimes confused with Turquoise. Commonly it occurs only as porous crusts unsuitable for gem use, but high quality, gemstone grade chrysocolla can be translucent and is highly prized. Many times pockets of Chrysocolla with Lapis interspersed through it are found. Notable occurrences include Isreal, Congo, Chile, Cornwell in England, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico and Pennsylvania in the USA. The Chrysocolla-Lapis combination can be found in some areas where Lapis Lazuli is also found..
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