Lapis Lazuli Crystals Extra Large

One of the oldest of all gemstones, lapis lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan for at least 6,500 years. It can only be found in a small number of countries around the world.

Lapis lazuli from Chile comes from Coquimbo.  The earliest reference to the mine is 1850.

Although some references talk of another deposit, the stone was identified in 1991 as being the mineral dumortierite.  

In the early 1980's the quality of lapis lazuli from Chile was described as being "at best mediocre".  More recently significant quantities of fine grade material have been found.

The mine is situated high in the Andes on the steep slope of an amphitheatre-like valley.  It's just five hundred metres from the border with Argentina.

Due to extreme weather conditions it's only accessible during the summer months.  For countries in the southern hemisphere that's January to April. From May the road becomes blocked by snow and from October it floods as temperatures rise.

The size of these lapis lazuli crystals can vary from piece to piece. 

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