Polished Lapis Lazuli Stone
A magnificent lapis lazuli polished stone from Sar-i Sang in Afghanistan. This mine situated high up in the Hindu Kush mountains is one of the oldest mines in the world.
This rich blue coloured stone is lightly included with golden specs of pyrite. Some white calcite can also be seen.
The front has been shaped whilst the back is flat. It was carved by a local craftsman in Afghanistan.
The use of lapis lazuli as a decorative material dates back thousands of years. At least one mine still being worked today supplied lapis lazuli to the ancient Egyptian pharaohs.
Egyptian burial sites that have been dated prior to 3000 BC contained huge amounts of lapis lazuli jewellery and carvings.
