Lapis lazuli also known as just lapis is a stone with one of the longest traditions of being considered a gem with a history stretching back to 5000 BC. Deep blue in colour and opaque this gemstone was highly prised by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Lapis Lazuli means stone of Azure.
The highest quality deposits are found in the Sar-e-Sand deposit in the Hindu Kush Mountains of Afghanistan's Kochka River Valley. However, it can also be found in other areas of the world such as Russia, Canada, Burma and Chile.