Renowned for its mesmerising deep blues

The more you know about the characteristics of genuine Lapis Lazuli, the harder it is to be fooled by imitations.

With its deep, celestial blue and golden pyrite flecks, Lapis Lazuli has captivated humanity for millennia. However, the very beauty that makes this stone so desirable also makes it a prime target for imitation.

Lesca Crystals' is dedicated to providing you with authentic, high-quality gemstones. So, in this guide, we'll walk you through the key differences between real and fake Lapis Lazuli. You'll learn the tell-tale signs to look for, simple at-home tests you can perform, and how to shop with confidence, ensuring the "starry night" stone you bring home is the genuine article.

Some Characteristics & Features to Look Out For

1. The Visual Inspection

Before you even pick up a stone, your eyes can tell you a lot. Start with these three visual clues:

• The Colour Story: Genuine Lapis is a rich, deep blue, but it's never perfectly uniform. Natural colour variations and subtle clouds of colour are signs of an authentic mineral, whereas a perfectly smooth, airbrushed-looking blue is a red flag for a synthetic or dyed stone.
• The Pyrite Test: Think of the golden flecks as the stone's "fingerprint." In natural Lapis, pyrite appears as irregular, angular grains, often shaped like tiny cubes or short streaks. If the gold specks look like perfectly round glitter, painted on, or are too evenly spaced, you are likely looking at a fake.
• The Calcite Clue: Calcite appears as white streaks or patches. In genuine Lapis, these have soft, natural-looking borders. While a top-quality stone may have very little calcite, the total absence of any white veining or calcite should make you suspicious.

2. Simple At-Home Tests

If a stone passes the visual check, you can try a few non-destructive tests for further confirmation.

• Temperature Test: Hold the stone in your hand. Natural stone feels cool to the touch and will stay that way for a moment, whereas resin or plastic fakes will quickly warm up to your body temperature.
• Weight and Tap Test: Real Lapis has a dense structure, making it feel heavier and more substantial than glass or plastic imitations of a similar size. You can also gently tap the stone; real Lapis may produce a pleasant, faint "clink" sound, while a fake often produces a dull thud.
• Light Refraction: Hold the stone up to a bright light source. A genuine Lapis will have a subtle inner glow. In contrast, glass counterfeits often look overly reflective or glassy.

Note: You can test if the item is dyed using a swab dipped in Acetone or Alcohol. If colour rubs of its dyed. Yes, this is a destructive test for your enhanced (dyed) synthetic specimens and jewellery!

3. Common Types of Fake Lapis Lazuli

The market is filled with a variety of imitations. Knowing what they are is half the battle.

• Dyed Lapis: Genuine Lapis is often dyed to enhance its colour.
• Synthetic Lapis: This is man-made material designed to mimic natural Lapis. It's often the most convincing fake, but it gives itself away with colour that's too perfect and pyrite flecks that are too uniform.
• Dyed Howlite and Magnesite: These naturally white, porous stones are frequently dyed a bright blue to imitate Lapis (and Turquoise). Check for an unnaturally bright, uniform blue colour and look for dye concentrated in any small cracks or crevices.
• Sodalite: While a natural blue stone, sodalite is lighter in colour and typically lacks the golden pyrite flecks that are a hallmark of Lapis. It may also have a slight translucency that Lapis does not.
• Glass and Resin: These can be molded into any shape and colour. Look for tell-tale air bubbles (a sure sign of glass) and an unnaturally light weight (a sign of resin).
• Swiss Lapis: Also known as "German Lapis" or "Italian Lapis," is not lapis at all. It's typically a dyed form of jasper (chalcedony) or marble, coloured with Prussian blue. These stones often have a high gloss, lack pyrite flecks, and may have un-dyed grey quartz nodules.

4. The Reality Price Check

When it comes to genuine gemstones, you get what you pay for. A suspiciously low price is almost always a red flag. For high-quality, deep blue Lapis Lazuli with good saturation, you can generally expect to pay more. Lower grades with more calcite or lighter colour will be less expensive, while anything claiming to be top-quality at a rock-bottom price is almost certainly a fake or synthetically enhanced (dyed).

A Quick Guide: Real vs. Fake Lapis Lazuli

Your Guide to Authentic Lapis Lazuli

• Do Your Research: The more you know about the characteristics of genuine Lapis, the harder it is to be fooled.
• Inspect Closely: Use a jeweller's loupe or a strong magnifying glass to examine the stone's pyrite, calcite, and color patterns.
• Ask Questions: A trustworthy seller should be able to tell you about the stone's origin (Afghanistan is the most renowned source, and it also comes from Peri...) and any treatments it may have undergone.
• Trust Your Instincts: If a deal seems too good to be true, or if something about the stone just doesn't feel right, trust your gut and walk away.

The Lesca Crystals Promise

At Lesca Crystals, we are passionate about connecting you with the authentic beauty of the natural world. That's why we source our gemstones with care and stand behind the quality of every piece we sell. When you shop with us, you can trust that your Lapis Lazuli—with its mesmerising, starry-night blues and genuine golden pyrite—is the real deal, ready to be a cherished part of your collection.

Do you have any experiences—good or bad—with identifying Lapis Lazuli? We'd love to hear your tips or questions in the comments below!