Lapislazuli is a type of stone that has been used as a gem since ancient times. It is a dark blue, translucent-opaque stone, a precious stone that was particularly important to the pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. Lapislazuli, also called Night Stone or Real Stone, is considered a symbol of the heavens due to its color. The meaning of the name also includes the meaning of Stone of the Skies. Lapislazuli is a mineral, not a rock. Composed of several minerals The purest and highest quality lapislazuli is mined in white marble in the form of veins and lenses in Bedahsan, Afghanistan. These mines, one of the oldest mines in the world, also provided lapislazuli to the pharaohs in ancient times. Apart from the mineral deposits in Afghanistan, lapis has also been found in the Andes near Ovalle, Chile. Lapislazuli extracted here is a much lighter and pale blue color than navy blue. Other, less important mineral deposits are found in Russia, Angola, Burma, Pakistan, the USA and Canada.