XL 66MM Natural Blue Lapis Lazuli Sphere Ball Orb Pyrite Crystal Calcite Stand
Location: Afghanistan
Weight: 1 Pound 1.5 Ounces
Dimensions: 66MM
Comes with a free Rosewood stand.
The item pictured is one you will receive.
Hardness: 5.5
Lapis Lazuli is not a single mineral; it is a combination of lazurite, calcite, and pyrite, with small amounts of other minerals. Contrary to popular belief, it does not contain lazulite. Its name literally means “blue stone,” derived from Latin and Persian or Arabic.
The connection between humans and lapis lazuli dates back more than 6,500 years. This gemstone was highly treasured by ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, Greece, and Rome, prized for its vivid, striking color alongside other blue gems like sapphire and turquoise.
The finest lapis lazuli comes from Badakhshan, a rugged province in present-day Afghanistan. Towering mountains rise to 17,000 feet, carved with treacherous ravines and largely devoid of vegetation. For centuries, people have braved this harsh terrain in pursuit of the azure treasure that is high-quality lapis lazuli.
The same was true as far back as 700 BC when the region was part of a country known as Bactria. The lapis mines that were producing then are still producing today. They are, in fact, the world’s oldest known commercial gemstone sources.
Caravans loaded with priceless blue treasures traveled through Bactria, destined for the great ancient cities of Greece, India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Persia. Marco Polo even mentioned these lapis mines back in 1271, though their tough-to-reach spots have kept most curious outsiders away.
