Lapis lazuli
lapis lazuli
Lapis lazuli, also known simply as "lapis", is a blue metamorphic rock that has been used as a gemstone, sculpture material, pigment and ornamental material for thousands of years. High quality lapis lazuli can be an expensive gemstone. The rarest specimens have a rich and solid blue color and perhaps some reflective pieces of golden pyrite. Afghanistan is the world's leading source of lapis lazuli. Parts of the country have been actively exploited for thousands of years. Other countries that produce significant quantities of lapis lazuli include Chile, Russia, Canada, Argentina and Pakistan. In the United States, small amounts of lapis lazuli have been produced in California, Colorado and Arizona.
Lapis lazuli has been popular for most of humen history. Lapis extraction occurred in Badakhshan province, in northeastern Afghanistan, as early as 7000 BC. Lapis was used to make beads, small jewelry and small sculptures. They have been found on Neolithic archaeological sites dating from around 3,000 BC in Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The lapis lazuli appears in meny Egyptian archaeological sites which date from around 3000 BC. It was used in meny ornamental objects and jewelry. Powdered lapis was used as a cosmetic and as a pigment.
The lapis lazuli appears in meny Egyptian archaeological sites which date from around 3000 BC. It was used in meny ornamental objects and jewelry. Powdered lapis was used as a cosmetic and as a pigment.
Learn more about lapis lazuli: Wikipedia