Dioptase on plexiglass base from Tsumeb

Dioptase on plexiglass base from Tsumeb

Charging and/or unloading plates in Shungite with relief engraving.

Charging and/or unloading plates in Shungite with relief engraving.

Lapis Lazuli polished on all sides on a wooden base,

Lapis from Afghanistan with handmade pedestal
Availability: In stock
SKU
11150
  • Buy 10 for €69.00 each and save 13%
Lapis lazuli or lazure stone is an opaque semi-precious stone with an intense azure blue color. It is not a mineral but a rock, because it consists of more than one component. It is mainly mined in Afghanistan. The main component of lapis lazuli is lazurite (25% to 40%), a feldspar substitute with the chemical formula (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(S,SO4,Cl)1-2.[1] Other important components are: calcite (white), sodalite (blue) and pyrite (yellow - metallic shiny). Furthermore, the minerals augite, diopside, enstatite, micas, hauynite, hornblende, geyerite (a sulfur-rich variety of lollingite) and noseane can also be found in lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli is not particularly hard for a gemstone. On the Mohs scale, the hardness is 5.5, which means that the stone can easily be scratched by harder gemstones. It is therefore not wise to store jewelry with lapis lazuli together with harder gemstones. Lapis lazuli is attributed spiritual power by alternative healers. Lapis lazuli usually arises by contact metamorphosis in crystalline marble. Lapis lazuli has been known since ancient times. In the city of Ur as early as 4000 BC. traded in. It was one of the commodities of trade between Sumer, Dilmun and Meluhha. It was also very popular in ancient Egypt. For example, it was used for Tutankhamun's death mask. It was in such high demand throughout the Middle East that as early as the 13th century BC. imitations were made. For example, cylinder seals of King Annipi and his father Adummu are known from the city of Sidon, which have been given a dark blue color with the help of cobalt salts. Lapis lazuli was also used in ground form as a blue dye (ultramarine), which was also very popular in Renaissance painting.
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Country of Manufacture Afghanistan
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