WAR IN AFGHANISTAN HALTS TRADE IN FABLED LAPIS LAZULI

摘要

Afghanistan's recent wars have overshadowed the trade in lapis lazuli for the past two decades, the latest chapter in the history of a gemstone that has been mined in the northeastern province of Badakhshan for over 6,000 years. The gem mines in Badakhshan's soaring mountains produce the best lapis in the world.The finest lapis lazuli, coloured almost purple and flecked with fool's gold, so fascinated Alexander the Great that he visited the mines around 325 BC. Cleopatra used powdered lapis as eye shadow.