Lapis Lazuli is a blue rock made up of several different minerals, including lazurite, sodalite, hauyne, calcite, and pyrite. The composition and color of lapis lazuli varies, but it is the intense dark blue, with minor patches of white calcite and brassy yellow pyrite, that is considered to be the best quality.

Lapis lazuli is usually found as boulders or within limestones. The best-quality lapis lazuli is from Afghanistan, and has been used in many famous pieces, including the mask of Tutankhamen. Argentinean lapis lazuli is also of a high quality. A pale blue variety occurs in the former USSR and in Chile. Lapis lazuli form the USA is a darken shade of blue.

Lapis lazuli has been worn in the belief that it will protect the wearer from evil. It has been imitated by stained jasper, and by paste with inclusions of copper. Imitation lapis lazuli is also produced by Pierre Gilson in France, and has a very similar composition to natural lapis lazuli.