Lapis Beads

This vibrant mineral was used as a gemstone for thousands by the Egyptians: the mask of Tutankhamen, for example, is covered with lapis lazuli inlays. The Egyptians also used powdered lapis as a cosmetic (Cleopatra’s eyeshadow!), as a pigment for painting, and as a medicine.

Our stunning lapis beads are a brilliant royal blue and are dotted with flecks of golden pyrite. Many of these lapis beads are also marbled with veins of gray-white calcite. Cleopatra, eat your heart out!

The mineral lazurite is the main component of lapis (also known as lapis lazuli) and accounts for the stone’s intense blue color, although lapis also contains pyrite and calcite, and usually some sodalite and hauyne as well.