Lapis-lazuli

Lapis lazuli takes its name from two linguistic roots: Latin (lapis, “stone”) and Arabic (azul, “blue”). Its striking colour is the result of a combination of minerals — lazurite for its intense blue, calcite for the grey or white streaks, and pyrite for the golden flecks that resemble a constellation. Mined for more than 6,000 years in Afghanistan, where the most famous deposits are still found, lapis is also extracted in Chile (home to the world’s second-largest mine), as well as in the United States, Canada, Myanmar, Pakistan and Russia. An ornamental stone with a long artistic history, lapis has been used for mosaics, sculpture and fine decorative objects. When ground into powder, it becomes ultramarine — the precious pigment used by Michelangelo to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Associated in many traditions with courage, clarity and open communication, lapis lazuli captivates with its dense, luminous blue. Designers such as Brooke Gregson are drawn to its graphic presence and natural depth.