From "lapis" (Latin) stone + "lazuli" (Arabic) blue
Formula:
(Na,Ca)8(Al,Si)12O24(S,SO4)
Description:
Bright blue, with silvery veins in.
Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious stone. Mines in Afghanistan were being worked six or seven thousand years ago. In Ur, kings sharpened their swords on it, believing they would become invulnerable. It was used by the Assyrians and Persians for making seals.
It has been widely used as a pigment, but it was always very costly. It was used for the blue cloak of the Virgin Mary.
Larger pictures of Lapis Lazuli:
This polished specimen shows the bright blue with the silver bits typical of lapis lazuli.
