Lazurite, also known as Lapis Lazuli, is a historically significant blue mineral, valued across various cultures for its unique deep blue color adorned with golden pyrite flecks. The name originates from the Arabic ‘lazaward’, initially pointing to the area it was first discovered in Afghanistan, known as Lazaward. This name was later latinized to ‘lapis’, making ‘lapis lazuli’ mean ‘stone of the sky’, describing both the appearance and the divine nature of lazurite.

Lazurite holds a rich cultural background and symbolic meaning across different cultures.

In Buddhism, lazurite is believed to possess properties that purify the mind and promote mental clarity, hence its frequent use in Buddhist rituals and its presence in many Buddhist statues and temple decorations.

In ancient Egypt, lazurite was commonly used in the making of amulets and burial ornaments for pharaohs and nobility. Egyptians believed that this stone had the power to protect the spirit and facilitate a smooth transition to the afterlife.

During the Renaissance in Europe, lazurite was ground into a powder to create the expensive blue pigment ‘ultramarine’, used in religious art to depict various elements, including the robes of the Virgin Mary, symbolizing her divinity and purity.