The deep blue of lapis lazuli, flecked with golden pyrite, has been the colour of nobility and wisdom for millennia; the polished beads almost evoke a night sky.
About lapis lazuli
Lapis lazuli is a deep-blue rock whose main component is lazurite, often dotted with golden, glittering pyrite and white calcite. Its historic source is Afghanistan, and Renaissance painters drew the costly ultramarine pigment from it. Egyptian priests, kings and warriors prized it long ago. Tradition knows it as a stone of truth and wisdom, and many cultures regard it as a stone of protection.
Good to know
The beads measure about 4 mm, strung on an elastic cord with an inner radius of around 5.5 cm. As a natural stone, the colour and pyrite pattern are unique to each piece.
Care
Lapis lazuli is relatively soft and porous, so protect it from chemicals and prolonged moisture. Wipe with a soft cloth.