Lapis lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan for thousands of years.
The name Lapis Lazuli, which comes from Persian and Arabic, means 'stone from the sky' or 'stone from heaven.'
This highly sought-after stone, which is a rock, not a mineral, can only be found in a few locations worldwide.
Throughout history, lapis lazuli has been mistaken for sapphire because in the ancient world, it was known as 'sapphirus.'
The golden specks of pyrite are in the mineral lazurite, one of several minerals that make up lapis lazuli.
Lapis lazuli is abundant in ancient Egyptian tombs and was used in King Tutankhamun's iconic funerary mask.
Minerals: J
