Lapis Lazuli Ring in 14K

Lapis lazuli is a dark blue microcrystalline rock composed primarily of the mineral lazurite that often sparkles with golden pyrite inclusions, like stars twinkling against the deep blue sky. The city of Ur had a thriving trade in this blue gem as early as the fourth millennium B.C. As befits a gem that has been international currency for millennia, the name lapis lazuli is a mélange of languages. From the Latin, lapis means stone. From the Arabic, azul means blue. The beautiful blues in Renaissance paintings are thanks to ground lapis lazuli pigment called ultramarine, which the old masters used to capture the rich blues of the sea and sky. Unlike other pigments, ultramarine centuries old still glows with rich color today thanks to the lasting beauty of lapis lazuli. Lapis lazuli is the gem of the 9th anniversary.

14K white gold is the most popular white precious jewelry metal. Its pale glow is the perfect setting for cool-toned gems. Since gold is naturally golden yellow in color, to make 14K white gold, 58.5% gold is alloyed with white metals, usually silver, zinc, palladium, or nickel. These metals also improve the hardness, durability and affordability of white gold jewelry, since pure gold scratches fairly easily. To get that bright shine, most white gold jewelry is also plated with rhodium, a platinum group metal.