Lapis Lazuli as Medieval Blue Gold
Ancient artists cherished lapis lazuli for its deep blue color. One pound of ground lapis made ultramarine pigment worth more than its weight in gold. Painters reserved this rare blue for important religious artwork, especially images of the Virgin Mary. Egyptian pharaohs decorated their tombs with lapis because they thought its celestial blue connected them to the gods. Merchants traveled dangerous routes through Afghanistan to obtain this precious stone.
