XL 63MM Natural Blue Lapis Lazuli Sphere Ball Orb Pyrite Crystal Calcite Stand
Location: Afghanistan
Weight: 15.1 Ounces
Dimensions: 63MM
Comes with a free Rosewood stand.
The item pictured is one you will receive.
Hardness: 5.5
Lapis Lazuli isn’t just one mineral—it’s a rich blend of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite, with tiny traces of others, though it surprisingly contains no lazurite. Its name means “blue stone” in Latin and Persian or Arabic, capturing the breathtaking color that has fascinated people for over 6,500 years. Ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome cherished this gem, valuing it as highly as sapphires and turquoise. The most exceptional lapis comes from the rugged mountains of Badakhshan, Afghanistan—an unforgiving landscape where only those seeking the rarest azure treasure venture. Embrace the timeless allure of this extraordinary stone.
Back in 700 BC, when this land was called Bactria, the lapis mines were already thriving—and guess what? They’re still going strong today. These mines aren’t just old; they’re the oldest commercial gemstone sources on the planet. Dive into a legacy that’s been fueling the world’s passion for lapis lazuli for millennia.
Merchant caravans transported their precious blue cargo across Bactria, on their way to the great cities of the ancient Greeks, Indians, Egyptians, Mesopotamians, and Persians. Marco Polo referred to the area’s lapis mines in 1271, but few outsiders have seen them because of their inhospitable location.
