Lapis Lazuli from Afganistan

[rockerfella]

Hi all,
I recently received an Afgani piece of Beautiful Blue Lapis Lazuli crystal specimen. Have a look at the photos, are the lineal inclusions what I think they might be or just pirite type minerals . It's very interesting.
A few photos of the piece. Let me know your thoughts.

Cheers
Mark

 

[grubstake]

Hi all,
I recently received an Afgani piece of Beautiful Blue Lapis Lazuli crystal specimen. Have a look at the photos, are the lineal inclusions what I think they might be or just pirite type minerals.

That brassy stuff is just pyrites according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapis_lazuli#Composition

 

[Myazma]

Me and a mate travelled thru Pakistan in 95 picking up heaps of lapis eggs and spheres as well as a kilo chunk of jewellery grade uncut deep blue - which my brother lost. Sold most of the eggs and balls on return to WA. One turned out to be a dud, quartzite tarted up, we were a bit suss on it when buying, pays to take a smal bottle of solvent when buying - dissolves dyes/inks.
Always wanted to get to the Panshir valley in Afganistan to pay homage to Mohommed Shah Massood and check out the lapis mines.
Nice buy, love lapis

 

[rockerfella]

Thanks Grubstake and Myazma, very informative. It looks great with the brassy pirite through it.
One of my favourite rocks.
Cheers
Mark

 

[AtomRat]

That stuff makes a great cab and polishes awesome