A deep blue semi-precious stone, often with flecks of gold-colored pyrite, used in jewelry and historically ground into expensive blue pigment for painting.
From Latin 'lapis' meaning 'stone.' The full term is usually 'lapis lazuli,' from the Arabic 'lazaward.' It's been treasured since ancient times—Cleopatra wore lapis eye makeup.
Lapis lazuli was so valuable in medieval times that it cost more than gold—artists had to save it for the most important parts of paintings, especially the robes of Mary in religious art. Ultramarine pigment made from lapis created the stunning blues we see in Old Master paintings.
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