Lapis Lazuli: Blue Gold
Mined in Afghanistan since the 7th century B.C., it is one of the very few naturally occurring blues in nature. Valued from the beginning for its deep, rich shade of blue it was used for pigment in textiles and art, while the actual stones adorned coffins, murals, and even death masks (it was mixed with Egyptian blue and was used in King Tutankhamen’s death mask as well). Pyrite is the mineral that you see snaking through lapis lazuli.
Lapis Lazuli Bead Necklace
This necklace is simple, and elegant. With nothing else distracting from the natural beauty of the lapis, it takes center stage in this piece. Each bead highlights all the wonderful things about lapis lazuli: The deep rich blues, and the pyrite that is part of the natural formation of the stone. All together it makes for a wonderful example of how beautiful this stone can be.
