What lies deep beneath the earth, highly valued by both artists and Egyptian pharaohs, boasting a royal blue hue? No, it’s not the bristles on the legs of an extremely cold spider; it’s this week’s featured item—lapis lazuli!
Lapis lazuli was introduced in Minecraft version 1.2, alongside dispensers, farmland, cake, birch trees, spruce trees, and of course, the beloved note block. It is most commonly used as a dye. This makes it quite versatile, as it can alter the color of various items—from glass and terracotta to beds, banners, and shulker boxes.
If you’re not in the mood to mine for resources yourself, you can seek out a priest or a wandering trader. Additionally, some of the last places to find it include chests in abandoned mineshafts, sunken ships, and deserted temples in villages.
The dyeing properties of lapis lazuli are certainly impressive, but that’s not its only application. It also serves as a decorative item, and when enchanted, it transforms into a stunning bright blue block that fits perfectly in magical-themed assemblies.
In the natural world, lapis lazuli is a semi-precious stone that has been cherished and revered by people since ancient times. The term “lapis” is derived from Latin, which refers to the stone, while “lazurite” comes from a Persian name for a region in present-day Afghanistan where it was mined as far back as 7000 BC. The word for “blue” in several languages, such as Spanish and Portuguese “azul,” also traces its roots back to this gem.
In the mines of Afghanistan, lapis lazuli can be discovered in regions such as Andah, Siberia, Angola, Argentina, Burma, Pakistan, Canada, Italy, India, and certain states in America like California and Colorado. However, why complicate things when synthetic lapis lazuli can be produced? Unfortunately, this technique was only developed relatively recently—in the early 19th century.
Lapis lazuli is actually a composite of various minerals. Its striking blue hue is due to the presence of sulfur within its crystals, along with common inclusions of calcite (white), sodalite (blue), and pyrite (golden). This stone forms deep underground, where intense pressure and extreme conditions compress rocks, resulting in new substances.
So, the next time you find yourself underground in Minecraft Pocket Edition searching for lapis lazuli blocks, remember that you’re engaging in an activity similar to what your ancestors did 10,000 years ago. To be honest, they spent hundreds of years seeking out this gem, but don’t worry—you’ll succeed!
