LAPIS

Lapis Lazuli is a stone with a rich history. Scholars have long argued that references in the Bible to sapphires were actually references to Lapis Lazuli. As well as its use in jewellery as a beautiful and rich blue stone, ground to a fine powder, the stone becomes the basis for the artists colour Ultramarine. The gold flecks associated with the stone are in fact pyrite (fools gold) and there is some controversy as to whether or not these flecks are desirable. Fashion plays it's part in dictating this.