Grade A Lazurite on Calcite with Pyrite Sar e Sang Afghanistan Crystal

Genuine Grade A Lazurite on Calcite with Pyrite – Sar e Sang Mine, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

This Grade A Lazurite on Calcite with Pyrite specimen from the world-famous Sar e Sang mine, Badakhshan, Afghanistan, is a genuine and carefully selected natural crystal example. The photograph provided shows the exact specimen you will receive. Please refer to the images for full sizing and scale details.

This crystal includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card confirming its genuine identity and historic Afghan provenance.

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Mineral Species & Scientific Classification

Lazurite is the principal mineral component of lapis lazuli and belongs to the feldspathoid group within the tectosilicates.

Primary Mineral: Lazurite
Chemical Formula: (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(SO₄,S,Cl)₂
Mineral Group: Feldspathoid
Crystal System: Isometric (Cubic)
Hardness: 5–5.5 on the Mohs scale
Lustre: Vitreous to dull

Associated Minerals Present:
Calcite – CaCO₃ (Trigonal crystal system, carbonate group)
Pyrite – FeS₂ (Isometric crystal system, sulphide group)

Lazurite is responsible for the intense royal to deep ultramarine blue colour that has made Sar e Sang material famous for thousands of years. Pyrite commonly appears as metallic brassy cubic crystals or granular inclusions, creating a striking gold contrast against the blue lazurite. White calcite forms the contrasting host matrix, often appearing as veins or crystalline patches.

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Geological Setting – Sar e Sang, Badakhshan

The Sar e Sang mine, located in the Kokcha Valley of Badakhshan, is one of the oldest continuously worked gemstone localities in the world, with documented extraction dating back over 6,000 years.

Geologically, lazurite forms within contact metamorphosed limestones. The deposit developed when limestone underwent metamorphism due to nearby igneous intrusions. Under high temperature and pressure conditions, sodium-rich fluids reacted with the carbonate host rock, forming lazurite within marble.

Typical geological environment:

• Contact metamorphic marble

• High-grade metamorphism

• Sulphur-rich fluids

• Associated calcite and pyrite crystallisation

The presence of calcite and pyrite together with lazurite is characteristic of classic Sar e Sang material, making the combination mineralogically and historically significant.

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Crystal Characteristics & Visual Features

This Grade A specimen displays vivid blue lazurite set within natural calcite matrix and accented by metallic pyrite crystals.

Notable features may include:

• Intense ultramarine blue coloration

• Natural crystalline lazurite masses

• White crystalline calcite contrast

• Brassy cubic pyrite crystals

• Textural variation between minerals

The rich blue colour is entirely natural and results from sulphur radicals within the lazurite structure. Pyrite provides natural metallic sparkle, while calcite offers a bright structural backdrop.

No artificial colouring or enhancement is implied. This is a natural mineral specimen in matrix form.

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Collectibility & Historical Importance

Sar e Sang lazurite is internationally recognised for both mineralogical and historical importance. Material from this locality supplied the ancient world with lapis lazuli used in carvings, jewellery and pigments, including ultramarine used in Renaissance art.

Collectors value these specimens for:

• World-famous historic locality

• Classic lazurite, calcite and pyrite association

• Strong colour contrast

• Metamorphic geological significance

Grade A examples displaying vivid colour and balanced mineral composition are especially desirable in mineral collections.

Lazurite has been traditionally associated in various cultures with wisdom and insight in a spiritual context, though this listing focuses entirely on its geological and mineralogical qualities.

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Authenticity & Presentation

This Lazurite on Calcite with Pyrite specimen has been carefully chosen for colour quality, mineral balance and locality importance. The image shown is of the exact specimen you will receive.

Included with your purchase is a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card confirming this is a genuine Sar e Sang, Badakhshan, Afghanistan specimen.

A striking example of contact metamorphic mineral formation from one of the world’s most legendary gemstone localities, this authentic Grade A lazurite specimen combines vivid colour, classic mineral association and deep geological heritage in one exceptional collector’s piece.