Lapis lazuli pigment, also called natural ultramarine (Colour Index PB29), is the historic blue ground from the stone lapis lazuli. We offer it in four grades. Three are Afghan lapis lazuli sorted by color: Extra class, the deepest violet-blue; First class (FC), a rich violet-blue with slightly less depth; and Second class (SC), a lighter, softer blue. The fourth, Lazurite Baikal, comes from the Lake Baikal region of Siberia and is lighter and grayer. All four share the same permanence: they are rated 8 of 8 for lightfastness on the Blue Wool Scale, resist alkali and lime, and are harmed only by acids.
The four grades at a glance
| Grade | Origin | Color | 50 g jar | 1 kg bag | Per gram (jar / bag) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extra class | Afghanistan | deep, saturated violet-blue | $39.90 | $700 | $0.80 / $0.70 |
| First class (FC) | Afghanistan | rich violet-blue, slightly lighter than Extra class | $35.90 | $630 | $0.72 / $0.63 |
| Second class (SC) | Afghanistan | light, soft blue | $23.90 | $420 | $0.48 / $0.42 |
| Baikal | Russia, Lake Baikal region | soft grayish blue | $15.90 | $280 | $0.32 / $0.28 |
Prices as of November 2026. Current prices are on each product page.
Why the grades look different
Lapis lazuli is a rock, not a single mineral. Its blue comes from the mineral lazurite; the rest of the stone is mostly white calcite, with diopside and small golden specks of pyrite. The more lazurite a piece contains, the deeper the blue of the pigment ground from it. This is why we sort our Afghan lapis lazuli by color into three grades: Extra class is the richest in lazurite, while Second class contains more calcite and other minerals and looks lighter.
Lazurite Baikal contains the same blue mineral but comes from another region. Ground into pigment, it gives a lighter, grayer blue than our Afghan grades.
Grain size matters as well. Coarser particles look deeper, and fine grinding makes ultramarine paler, so grind it gently.
Which grade to choose
- Extra class: for the deepest, most saturated blue.
- First class (FC): a rich violet-blue close to Extra class, at a lower price per gram.
- Second class (SC): for lighter blues, skies, distant landscape and underpainting. A deeper grade can be glazed over it.
- Baikal: for cool grayish blues, shadows and atmospheric distance.
How to use lapis lazuli pigment
Disperse the powder in your binder with a palette knife or a few gentle strokes of a muller: egg yolk for tempera, gum arabic for watercolor and gouache, linseed oil for oil paint, or acrylic medium. Keep the grind fairly coarse, because finer particles look paler.
- Egg tempera: the classic binder for natural ultramarine in medieval and Renaissance panel painting.
- Oil: lapis lazuli has low hiding power in oil, so it works best as a glaze over a light underpainting.
- Fresco: it resists alkali and lime. Disperse it in water and paint it onto fresh lime plaster.
- Acids: acids destroy the blue and release hydrogen sulfide gas, so keep the pigment away from them.
Natural and synthetic ultramarine
Both carry the Colour Index name PB29. Synthetic ultramarine has been made since the late 1820s. It is more vivid and has uniform, pure particles. Natural ultramarine from lapis lazuli is softer in tone and contains traces of the other minerals of the stone. If you need a strong, even blue at a low price, choose our synthetic Ultramarine blue. If you want the historic natural blue, choose lapis lazuli.
A short history
Lapis lazuli has been mined at Sar-i Sang in Afghanistan's Badakhshan province for more than 6,000 years. Among the earliest known paintings made with it are 6th- and 7th-century murals in cave temples in Afghanistan. In Europe the pigment was named ultramarine, from the Latin for "beyond the sea", because the stone came from Asia. In Renaissance painting it was one of the costliest blues, at times valued as highly as gold.
Safety
Lapis lazuli contains sulfur: contact with acids releases hydrogen sulfide gas. Handle dry pigment with care: avoid breathing the dust, wear a dust mask (FFP2/N95) and gloves, and work in a well-ventilated area. For artistic and technical use only, not for cosmetics, food or tattoos.
FAQ
Is lapis lazuli pigment lightfast?
Yes. All four of our grades are rated 8 of 8 on the Blue Wool Scale.
Can I use lapis lazuli in fresco?
Yes. It resists alkali and lime; only acids harm it.
Why does my lapis lazuli paint look pale?
Usually because the pigment was ground too finely, or because the grade contains less lazurite. Mull it gently, or choose a deeper grade.
Is Lazurite Baikal real lapis lazuli?
Yes. It is natural lapis lazuli with the same blue mineral, lazurite, from the Lake Baikal region of Siberia. Its blue is lighter and grayer than that of our Afghan grades.
Do you sell lapis lazuli in bulk?
Yes. Every grade comes in 50 g jars and 1 kg bags. For other quantities, contact us.
Shop the grades: Extra class · First class · Second class · Baikal. See also our azurite guide.
This guide was prepared by Colibri Pigments. We have been producing pigments for more than 25 years, and our team includes two geologists.