Lapis Bead

Item Description

Lapis Lazuli is best known from Afghanistan, and pieces are still being collected at one of the oldest mines in the world. The mine at Sar-E-Sang has been operation for approximately 7000 years, and has produced thousands of tons of Lapis over the years. This area is the source of the world's finest material. Lapis itself is actually a rock which is composed of a few species i.e., Lazurite / Hauyne and Sodalite, plus streaks of Calcite and Pyrite. The most highly sought after Lapis is the material that shows a soild navy blue color without any streaks of white Calcite and only tiny specs of Pyrite showing. Here we have a beautiful Lapis bead with a rich navy blue hue and the fact that it is so uniform in color makes it very desirable. There is a drillhole through the center of the stone, so it can be easily strung on a necklace or a thin chain.