Lapis lazuli is a metamorphic rock composed mainly of lazurite, along with calcite, pyrite, and other minerals. It is most known for its vibrant blue color, ranging from deep blue to royal blue, often with golden flecks of pyrite and white veins of calcite. Lapis lazuli has been prized for thousands of years as a gemstone, and it was historically ground into powder to create the pigment ultramarine. It has a Mohs hardness of 5 to 5.5, making it relatively soft and suited for carvings and ornamental use. Major sources include Afghanistan, Chile, and the United States.