Lapis Lazuli's Royal Blue Color Was Once Considered Godlike

Today, we may attach a high value to diamonds and rubies, but for centuries, it was the blue of lapis lazuli that ruled the sky and the seas.

Why Was Lapis Lazuli Treasured by Ancient Civilizations?

Lapis lazuli turned heads with its brilliant color, plus it was easy to make it look good through polishing and carving, Santimer says.

"It's one of the older gemstones around," she says, predating the discovery of others we might consider more precious today. Ancient civilizations may have associated blue with the sky and heavens, which alludes to the afterlife. It was valued and traded because its royal blue color was godlike.

"If this wild, blue color came from the gods, you are going to go seek it," says Santimer.

But in addition to being used on pharaoh's masks, scarabs and beads, it is rumored that pulverized lapis lazuli