Ultramarine or Lapis Lazuli in its finest quality—during the 15th and 16th centuries, this precious stone was exclusively used as a pigment for the blue robes in depictions of the Virgin Mary. No color was more expensive at the time, not even purple. Lapis Lazuli was sourced from Afghanistan, beyond the sea, which is why it was named "Ultramarine" (meaning "from beyond the sea").
One of the most unique features of this gemstone is its ability to display golden veins. The combination of deep blue Lapis and gold held celestial significance in ancient Egyptian art.
