Gemstone keychains in Afghan Lapis Lazuli. 20-25mm in size.

Lapis lazuli or lapis lazuli 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 nosean can also occur 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 containing lapis lazuli together with harder gemstones. Lapis lazuli is attributed with spiritual power by alternative healers. Lapis lazuli usually arises through contact metamorphosis in crystalline marble. Lapis lazuli was known since ancient times. The city of Ur was built in 4000 BC. acted in. It was one of the trade products of the 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 B.C. imitations were made. For example, from the city of Sidon, cylinder seals of King Annipi and his father Adummu are known, which were given a dark blue color using cobalt salts. Lapis lazuli was also used in ground form as a blue dye (ultramarine), which was also very popular in Renaissance painting.