Beautiful lapis lazuli object of the highest quality

A high-quality lapis lazuli object in deep ultramarine blue, interspersed with golden pyrite flecks and sparse calcite veins. Material from the classic Sar-e-Sang Valley in Badakhshan, the historical premium deposit.

Lapis lazuli is mineralogically a rock, not a single mineral. Its main component is lazurite, supplemented by sodalite, hauyne, and the typical pyrite inclusions. The intense blue coloration of lazurite is one of the rare inorganic pigments from which Renaissance painters obtained their famous ultramarine.

The Sar-e-Sang deposit in the Afghan Hindu Kush has been mined for over 6,000 years and provides the most consistent premium material. Historically, trade extended from here to Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Renaissance Italy.

Premium quality is characterized by uniform color depth without spot variations, sparse white calcite veins, and finely distributed pyrite flecks. This piece meets all three criteria.

A collector's item with cultural-historical depth and mineralogical premium class.