Hand-carved lapis lazuli heart suspended on a sterling silver cable chain

Discovered more than 6000 years ago, this deep blue stone’s name comes from the Latin word for “stone”—lapis—and the Persian lazhuward, or “blue”. Synonymous with wealth and power throughout the ages, the funeral mask for the ancient Egyptian pharaoh 'King Tut' was decorated with lapis lazuli, and during the Renaissance Catherine the Great adorned an entire room in her palace with Lapis walls and furniture. We look for Lapis scattered with traces of pyrite for added depth and beauty.