Earrings – Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli, or just Lapis, is a dark blue rock that is composed of different kinds of stone. ‘Lapis’ literally means ‘stone’ in Latin and ‘Lazuli’ refers to the blue colour it possesses. It is mainly Lazurite, with traces of among others calcite (white), pyrite, (metallic), and sodalite (blue). The first Lapis was mined in around 7000 BC. It was also an important part of the Indus valley civilisation (3300-1900 BC). The deep-blue stone was also popular among the Ancient Egyptians and can be found in jewellery and in the funeral mask of Tutankhamun. Lapis Lazuli was also used as a pigment and it is known that Cleopatra used powdered Lapis as eyeshadow. The best quality Lapis has as few traces of other minerals, but not too few, because then it would be just Lazurite. A super-deep blue colour is also very much appreciated.