62g Maden-4 Lapis Lazuli with Chalcopyrite, Afghanistan

This 62-gram rough mineral specimen combines deep blue lapis lazuli with contrasting golden-toned chalcopyrite. Its natural, unpolished form preserves the irregular surfaces and mineral relationships that make the piece useful for a collector’s cabinet, mineral study, or close-up display. Size Idea: The specimen is associated with Maden-4 (Mine 4) in Afghanistan’s historic Sar-e-Sang lapis mining district in Badakhshan. This high-mountain district has supplied lapis lazuli for thousands of years. The Maden-4 reference identifies the mine context given for this piece; natural mineral specimens can vary across a single working. Minerals: Lapis lazuli with chalcopyrite. Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide with the formula CuFeS₂ and provides the metallic, brass-gold contrast visible against the blue host material. Gem type: A natural, semi-precious gemstone and mineral specimen rather than a cut or polished gem. Form: Rough and untreated in appearance, retaining a natural specimen shape. Weight: 62 grams. Dimensions: Approximately 53 × 41 × 22 mm. About the specimen The compact size makes this piece easy to examine from different angles while still showing a clear visual relationship between the blue lapis material and metallic chalcopyrite. FAQs What is Maden-4 lapis lazuli? Maden-4, also written Mine 4, refers to a working associated with the Sar-e-Sang lapis district of Badakhshan, Afghanistan. What is the gold-colored mineral in this specimen? It is identified here as chalcopyrite, a naturally metallic copper iron sulfide with the formula CuFeS₂. Is this lapis specimen polished? No. It is presented as a rough mineral specimen with its natural irregular form visible.