Two intergrown, deep blue Lazurite crystals embedded within white marble matrix from Sar-e Sang , Kokscha Valley, Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan. The largest crystal, which is 17 mm across, is incomplete, missing its central portion which is naturally infilled with white marble. The second crystal, which is 12 mm across, is an excellent example of a dodecahedral crystal form. Both crystals display the wonderful deep azure blue colour for which the rock Lapis Lazuli is famed. Used to create the famous blue Renaissance pigment - ultramarine - Lapis Lazuli from the same region has been mined for thousands of years and was traded across Asia and into Europe and Africa from the earliest of times.