Bead, lapis lazuli (natural), 6mm hand-cut half-drilled faceted round, B grade, Mohs hardness 5-6. Sold per pkg of 2.

Lapis lazuli is a deep royal blue often highlighted with a touch of purple and flecks of iron pyrite. The timeless color and subtle shading of lapis lazuli are what gives this gemstone high perceived value. The name comes from two different cultures: lapis is a Latin word meaning "stone," while lazuli comes from the Persian word lazhuward, meaning "blue." In the Middle Ages, painters ground up lapis lazuli to make the deep blue paint called ultramarine the blue used to paint the robes of Mary of Nazareth on church walls and ceilings like in the Sistine Chapel. Sizes, shapes and colors may vary with handcrafted items.