Lapis-Lazuli

The name of the gem is derived, through the medieval Latin lapis lazulis, from the Arabic word lazward, from which the word azure comes; but according to the description of Pliny the Elder, the ancient Romans called it sapphirus. It has a uniform, massive or sometimes granular appearance, with a surface that can take a good polish like jades. The best quality lapis lazuli comes from afghanistan, where it has been mined since remote antiquity. It is one of the most valuable semiopaque ornamental materials, worth about the same as good quality turquoise and the better jades. When it contains light veins of other minerals, the value diminishes, but not excessively, as the effect is still very pleasing.