Lapis lazuli - Its name lapis lazuli or lapis lazuli received only in the 18th century. Its roots are in the Arabic word azul, which translates as "sky" or "blue".
The history of this mineral began more than 7000 years ago. Lapis lazuli was used to decorate the luxurious palaces of the rulers of the East, and for the extraction of valuable deep blue paint. In ancient Egypt, they came up with the idea of making a gold frame for this stone and wearing it as jewelry.
Russian emperors also appreciated the beauty of lapis lazuli. He decorated the halls of the palace in Peterhof and the famous Winter Palace.
The color of lapis lazuli varies from sky blue to deep violet and depends on the amount of sulfur anions present in the mineral.
The richest deposits of this mineral are located in Afghanistan. The most valuable specimens of lapis lazuli are mined in Badakhshan. Stones from the Baikal region are valued equally with them. Lapis lazuli mines are also located in other countries: China, Chile, Tajikistan, India and Africa.