Lazurite

specimen number:
2354076

location:
Ladjuar Medam, Sar-e-Sang, Kuran wa Munjan, Badakhshan, Afghanistan

description:
Deep blue semi lustrous grouping of sharp blocky lazurite crystals measuring 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.0 cm in size frozen up on a marble matrix. In great condition. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Eric Laskowski.

The Ladjuar Medam mine, located in the remote Sar-e-Sang area of the Kuran wa Munjan District within Afghanistan's Badakhshan Province, represents one of the oldest continuously worked mining sites in human history. Geologically situated within ancient high-grade metamorphic limestone host rocks, the deposit formed through thermal metamorphism where intrusive granitic magma reacted with evaporite-bearing carbonate layers. Historical records and archaeological findings indicate that intense artisanal mining at this famous locality dates back over six thousand years, supplying high-grade lapis lazuli to ancient civilizations including Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley. The site remains world-famous among collectors and gemologists for producing extraordinary specimen-quality lazurite crystals characterized by deep azure-blue coloration, sharp dodecahedral forms, and stark contrast against white calcite matrices.

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