Lapis Lazuli is one of the oldest gemstones in the history of mankind. Its gorgeous blue colours was adored by the pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Even today, it is considered one of the most beautiful gemstones. The stones are carefully dusted with a little quantity of golden pyrite to certify that it is genuine.
Afghanistan produces the most beautiful lapis lazuli. Some of the mines where the stone is found date back to the the pharaohs. Besides Afghanistan, it is also found in varying quantities in the Andes, parts of Russia, Burma, Canada and parts of the United States of America. But none of them can match the intense beauty of the lapis of Afghanistan.
In Ancient Egypt, lapis was used for amulets, while the Babylonians and Assyrians used it for seals. Romans believed that it had aphrodisiac properties and evidence suggest that the Egyptian women used its powdered form as eye shadow. It was also used for the blue colour in paintings in ancient ages. However, during the medieval ages and the Renaissance, its use declined as the painters in that era believed that it was very expensive. They used oil paints instead. Though most artists have a variety of synthetic colours to choose form, some still prefer the original lapis blue over others.
It is also used to make beautiful jewellery after it is polished. Besides that, it is also used for making statuettes and other ornamental things. A number of carved artefacts containing lapis lazuli were excavated near the Sumerian tombs along the Euphrates River in Iraq. Such art specimens were also found in Afghanistan, where artists and craftsmen still use this stone extensively.
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