Lapis Lazuli is a deep-blue metamorphic rock prized for its intense color, primarily composed of the mineral lazurite, along with calcite and pyrite. The pyrite gives it flecks of gold, enhancing the stone's visual appeal. It has been valued since ancient times for its beauty and was historically used in jewelry, art, and as a pigment. Lapis lazuli is primarily mined in northeast Afghanistan, particularly in the Sar-e-Sang mines, which are among the oldest known sources of this gemstone. Smaller quantities are also found in Chile, as well as in some locations in Russia, Pakistan, Italy, Mongolia, the United States, and Canada.