Lab Created Lapis Old Mine SLPISO

Lab Grown Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a semi-precious rock with a distinct blue color with white, gold, and black streaks around its structure. The metamorphic rock is a popular option for jewelers, artisans, and buyers since it has an inviting appearance uncommon to many other stones.

In this article, we’ll see vital details about lab-grown lapis lazuli, its origins, uses, maintenance tips, and other useful information.

These crystalline marbles are easy to find and make a great addition to anyone’s jewelry or art collection. You need to know everything important about lab-grown lapis to make a smart choice.

History of Lab Lapis

Lapis lazuli mines in Afghanistan have been operational since the 7th millennium BC. Many mines in Shortugai and Badakhshan still provide unique forms of lapis stones in demand across global markets.

Records also exist of lapis lazuli being a high-value rock among the Indus Valley Civilization period. Many notable figures used this precious stone as pigments, for burial rites, and decoration up until the Middle Ages.

However, lab-grown lazuli became available from the twentieth century and synthesis methods reduced the rarity of this stone, making it available for wider use.

How is Lab-Grown Lapis Made?

Lab-grown lapis lazuli forms under a synthesis method called the Gilson Process. The procedure mimics how lapis forms naturally and includes other elements to produce several variants.

Uses of Lab Lapis

Lab-grown lapis is useful as adornment pieces on different kinds of jewelry. Jewelers carve these stones are centerpieces on earrings, necklaces, and other forms of beautiful jewelry. The signature blue color of lab-grown lapis lazuli also makes it a preferred option for designing:

• Ornaments,
• Sculpture,
• Vases,
• Fancy boxes,
• Interior walls, fittings, etc.

Artisans, jewelers, interior decorators, and buyers fancy lab-grown lapis for multiple purposes. These crystalline rocks are easy to work with and artisans and experienced jewelers can mold them into different useful items.

Common Minerals in Lab-Grown Lapis Lazuli

Lab-grown lapis might contain one or more of over twelve minerals to give it a distinct appearance. Some common minerals present in synthetic lapis include:

• augite,
• calcite
• diopside,
• enstatite,
• hauynite,
• hornblende,
• löllingite geyerite
• mica,
• nosean,
• pyrite, and
• sodalite,

Chemical Properties of Lab Lapis

• Main element(s) formula: Lazurite (25% to 40%), (Na, Ca)8 (AlSiO4)6 (S,SO4,Cl)1–2, some variants contain sodalite, pyrite, or calcite.
• Cleavage: None
• Structure: Uneven
• Mohs scale hardness: 5.5 – 6
• Luster: sub-adamantine
• Common streaks: Light green
• Diaphaneity: None
• Specific gravity: 1.6 – 3
• Refractive index: Irregular
• Birefringence: None

Maintenance Tips for Lab Lapis

You can maintain your lab-grown lapis with:

Proper storage is the easiest and safest way to maintain your lab-grown lapis rocks. These rocks don’t need too much maintenance and might react poorly to regular cleaning tools used on diamonds and other gemstones.

Also, you can keep the appearance of your lab lapis in top shape with a polishing cloth. Use a polishing cloth to wipe off dirt from your marble stones and retain their shine and appearance.
Make sure you never expose lapis to ammonia-rich commercial jewelry cleaners. Some commercial jewelry cleaners with ammonia might damage the structure of your lapis gems.

Also, lapis crystals may react poorly under a jeweler’s torch rays and some ingredients in highly-concentrated liquid soap.

Consult an experienced jeweler for more information before you choose a maintenance method for your lapis. Seeking information from qualified professionals is the only way to ensure your crystal appears brilliant for much longer.