Lapis Lazuli – A gemstone of higher status than gold
Lapis Lazuli is a rock contains a variety of minerals, mainly composed of lapis lazuli, sodalite, etc., the white part is calcite, and the golden part is pyrite. The range of its colors includes teal, blue, indigo and blue-violet, the ones with more sky blue stone display brightly azure color. Lapis Lazuli has a long-standing history as a symbol of imperial power and wealth, and its status was valued in ancient Egypt, Babylon and other cultures. Ancient China called it “Emperor blue”, and the West called it “Ultramarine”, which is the emblem of nobility and majesty. Lapis Lazuli is often used in jewelry, pigments and medicines, and has high commercial value, the less white and golden part the better when buying.