GIA Colored Stones Assignment 25: Lapis
Lazuli, Turquoise, and Other Opaque
Gems
1970's, Gilson, 1980's - ANS-Fine turquoise was both scarce and in demand during a
surge in popularity in the _________. That's why the ____________ Company, creators
of other synthetic gems introduced Gilson synthetic turquoise in the ________.
3.5, 4 - ANS-Malachite is soft __.__ to ____ on the Mohs scale, and has poor
toughness, but its density gives it a satisfying heft. (With proper handling it can be quite
durable.)
3.5, 4 - ANS-Transparent, gem-quality rhodochrosite is found in Peru, South Africa, and
the US state of Colorado. It's poor toughness and softness __.__ to ___ on the Mohs
scale, make it an uncommon choice for jewelry. (also found in an aggregate form)
5, 6 - ANS-Lapis is semitranslucent to opaque, of fair toughness, with a waxy to vitreous
luster. Its hardness ranges from _____ to _____ on the Mohs scale, depending on the
mix of minerals.
5.5, 6.5 - ANS-Hematite is plentiful, has excellent toughness, and ranges from __.__ to
__.__ on the Mohs scale. (beads, cameos, intaglios)
50 - ANS-In the 1990's civil unrest in the area affected the global market. Supply of lapis
lazuli rough from Afghanistan plunged ____ percent because of fighting in the mining
area of Badakshan. Most lapis was sold to buyers in Hong Kong, and salse in that area
decreased due to the Asian economic downturn.
6500 - ANS-Historians believe that the link between man and lapis lazuli stretches back
more than _________ years. (It was treasured by the ancient civilizations of
Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece and Rome. It was prized as much as other blue
gems like sapphire and turquoise.)
80 - ANS-China fulfills about ______% of the US market's demand for turquoise.
,acetone, sealed - ANS-Lapis dye can come off if it is rubbed with _____________ (nail
polish remover) or denatured alcohol, so sometimes it is ____________ with wax or
plastic. Wax sealers can deteriorate when they are exposed to heat or solvents.
Afghan - ANS-The finest trade grade of lapis lazuli is ____________.
Afghanistan - ANS-__________________ is the world's major source of lapis lazuli as
well as the major source of the gem's best color.
Afghanistan - ANS-Badakhshan, a province in present-day __________________, is a
forbidding wasteland of mountains, bare of any vegetation. The sheer mountain faces
rise as high as 17,000ft, and are scored with treacherous ravines. Humans make their
way there to seek one thing only: the azure treasure that is fine lapis lazuli. (The same
was true as far back as 700 BC, when the region was part of a country known as
Bactira.
Afghanistan - ANS-Lapis is mined in several areas. The traditional source of the finest
lapis lazuli is the same today as it was thousands of years ago--the mountains of
_______________. Other major sources are Chile and Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia.
Minor sources are Angola, Canada, Colorado (US), and Pakistan.
Afghanistan - ANS-The world's major source of lapis lazuli is _______________.
Afghanistan - ANS-The world's oldest known commercial gemstone sources are Lapis
mines in ________________ (Bactria).
aggregate - ANS-Lapis lazuli is a rock, which is an _____________ of several minerals.
American Southwest - ANS-The largest and most consistent market for turquoise
jewelry is the ___________ _____________. (3 types: *Inexpensive mass produced
sterling silver jewelry made cheaply elsewhere, *hand fabricated/cast fine quality jewelry
made by Native American artisans, * estate pieces- 1900's diamonds/platinum.)
American Southwest - ANS-The largest, most consistent turquoise market is the
_____________ ______________.
Asmani - ANS-Afghan lapis medium trade grade: A_______-a light blue lapis, much like
the color of chambray denim. (marketed as "denim lapis")
, Azurmalachite - ANS-___________________ is a rock that's a striking blend of azurite
and malachite. (Bands of oceanic blue and greed. It is scarce and not well known to the
public. source: US, Namibia, France.)
backpack - ANS-Afghani miners _____________ blocks of lapis rough down steep
mountain trails to campsites, a treacherous journey that takes 1.5 weeks. It's then sent
to western Pakistan for fashioning.
bacon - ANS-Aggregate rhodochrosite often shows color banding called the
___________ strip effect.
Bactria - ANS-Merchant caravans transported their precious Lapis across
____________ on their way to Greece, India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia along
The Silk Road. (Marco Polo referred to the area's lapis mines in 1271, but few outsiders
have seen them because of their inhospitable location.)
blue, greenish, blue, yellowish - ANS-As with Persian blue, other turquoise shades are
often associated with a traditional source. American or Mexican turquoise is light
________, or ___________ blue to bluish green. Egyptian turquoise is greenish
__________ to _____________ green.
botryoidal - ANS-Malachite's growth structure is ____________, meaning its
appearance is like a bunch of grapes.
brown - ANS-Limonite matrix create dark __________ markings in turquoise.
cabochons - ANS-Turquoise is most often cut into _______________, but it might also
be cut into beads or flat pieces for inlay.
cabochons - ANS-Turquoise is most often fashioned as ______________.
cabochons, beads, inlays, tablets - ANS-Typically, lapis cutting styles for use in jewelry
are c_____________, b_________, i__________, and t__________. (Throughout its
history, lapis has been fashioned into practical objects, including game boards, bowls,
dagger handles, hair combs, and amulets.
calcite - ANS-Lapis frequently contains varying amounts of whitish ___________ matrix-
the host rock that surrounds the gem.
