View source for Lapis lazuli

'''Lapis''' is a semi-precious [[gemstone]], known and used as far back as Pharonic [[Egypt]].  It is a compound of various other minerals and, in its finest form is intense radiant [[blue]], occasionally with [[gold]]en pyrite flecks.  It takes excellent polish and has been widely used for [[jewellery]], and in [[mosaics]].  Ground, it is a major constituent in the [[pigment]] ''Ultramarine''.

Accordingly it '''is''' a [[period]] [[stone]], and '''was''' available in [[medieval]] [[Europe]].

Lapis is somewhat soft for a gemstone (5 - 6 on the Mohs scale). Nevertheless it is highly popular even today. It has an indistinct cleavage, which makes it suitable for [[ring]] stones when cut en cabochon or in bufftop. Lapis lazuli is also widely used in [[bead]]s, small [[sculpture]], and other [[ornament]]al objects.

References:<br>
* Walter Schumann, ''Gemstones of the World'', New York, 1997<br>
* June Culp Zeitner, ''Gem & Lapidary Materials'', Geoscience Press, 1996
[[category:gemstones]]