Lapis lazuli came mostly from the eastern mines
of what is now Afghanistan, and its rarity made it
extremely desirable.
The kings and queens of
Mesopotamia had their cylinder seals carved of
lapis; the Egyptians made their most precious
amulets from it. So eager were the Egyptians for
objects made from lapis that they created an
imitation paste from the ground stone. During
the Renaissance, the rich ultramarine of the great
master paintings was also made from powdered
lapis, brought overland on arduous journeys that
took years. Besides its appealing
loveliness, the gem is thought to have curative
powers and is used as a remedy for fever, gall-
stones, sleeplessness and above all, melancholy.
- (CK.0649)
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