Lapis Lazuli

  • Lapis Lazuli is a blue Gemstone mined since Antiquity from as early as 7,000 BCE.
  • It came from Mines in Northeastern Afghanistan, which are still the main producers today.

History

  • Lapis Lazuli beads have been found in Pakistan dating from c.6,000 BCE, in Mesopotamia dating from c.3,000 BCE, and in the Royal Tombs of Ur dating from c.2,000 BCE.
  • Lapis Lazuli was used to make amulets shaped as Scarabs in Ancient Egypt,and as Cylinder Seals in Mesopotamia.
  • Queen Cleopatra VII (51-30 BCE) used powdered Lapis Lazuli as blue eyeshadow.
  • Other sources today are Mines in the Andes in Chile, Russia, Italy, USA and Canada.

 

Afghanistan

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