Chrysocolla & Lapis 18x30-28x40mm Irregular Oval 15-16 Inch

Chrysocolla, a hydrous copper silicate, is often mistaken for turquoise due to its rich blues and blue to greens. It often also occurs with colors of rust, copper, black, white and reddish brown in speckles, veins and brecciated patterns. It is a very soft stone typically found near copper deposits. Chrysocolla was first described by Theosphrastus, a Greek philosopher and botanist who also named the stone, in 315 BCE. Lapis is a semi to precious stone and one of the most sought after throughout history. It is highly regarded for its beautiful blue color flecked with gold inclusions of pyrite, and was prized in ancient times for the ultramarine dye derived from it. This dye was said to create Michelangelo’s favorite shade of blue. It is one of the world’s oldest known stones, mined since 4000 BCE, originally from the Lapis to Lazuli mine in Afghanistan.