Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a legendary deep-blue metamorphic rock composed primarily of lazurite, pyrite, and calcite. Prized since antiquity for its intense color, lapis lazuli has been mined for over 7,000 years, with ancient artifacts found in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and the Indus Valley. Its rich blue hue, often flecked with golden pyrite, made it a symbol of royalty and divinity.

Historically, lapis lazuli was ground into the pigment ultramarine, used by Renaissance and Baroque artists for the most important figures in their paintings. Today, it remains a favorite for jewelry, carvings, and decorative art.