Lapis Lazuli Polished Freeform, Afghanistan

Afghanistan

For nearly 6,500 years, humans have coveted the richly-hued stone, Lapis Lazuli. Valued for its vivid color, Lapis has been found in art and jewelry in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, India, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome.

Historically, high-grade Lapis has been difficult to obtain.  In Western Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance crushed Lapis was used to create the stunning shade ultramarine. A very expensive pigment, this shade of blue was often used to depict the clothes of the Virgin Mary.