Lapis Lazuli from Afganistan (270 grams)

SIZE: 3 x 2 x 2-inch WEIGHT: 270 grams Lapis lazuli is a deep blue gemstone that has been highly valued for thousands of years for its beauty and rarity. Afghanistan is one of the world's leading sources of high-quality lapis lazuli, and it has been mined there for over 6,000 years. Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of the minerals lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. It is usually found in small to medium-sized veins or nodules within other rocks, and can be quite difficult to extract due to its hardness and tendency to break apart. Afghanistan produces some of the highest-quality lapis lazuli in the world, with a deep blue color that is often streaked with veins of white calcite and specks of golden pyrite. These colors are highly prized by gemstone collectors and lapidaries, who use the stone to create a wide range of jewelry and decorative objects. In addition to its beauty, lapis lazuli has been valued for its cultural and spiritual significance throughout history. It h