Featured When did Lapis Lazuli became a sought after stone?

Hello again,
I have purchased the attached neklace, bracelet and earrings together with other necklaces.
I wonder how old it is and what style, as the metal is not sterling silver.
It's inlaid Lapis in a white metal, looks old, maybe the clasp and design will say how old it is.
Any comments are much appreciated.
Thank you.
Simona
@Any Jewelry
@Ownedbybear
@Ce BCA
@Figtree3
@Bronwen

 

It's not my speciality, but I suspect it's probably Afghan. Regarding how long lapis has been sought:

"Lapis lazuli artifacts, dated to 7570 BCE, have been found at Bhirrana, which is the oldest site of Indus Valley Civilisation"

Also fun fact, lapis was used to make ultramarine paint and was much sought after and highly expensive during the Renaissance.

 

Very dramatic. Most of the time Any Jewelry knows about 'ethnic' jewellery. She'll be along.

 

Agree, Afghan, Pashtun. Attractive, but not very old, and these are still being made. My guess age-wise is anytime between 1980 and a few years ago.

 

Aww, that is a shame, if only the settings was silver.... It looks nice, maybe not a keeper.
Thank you so much.

 

For the last 2 years I wondered what they used to colour these ties 400 years ago, the lovely navy blue, here is a possible answer "lapis"

Makli Necropolis is one of the largest funerary sites in the world, spread over an area of 10 kilometres near the city of Thatta.

 

Persian/Islamic tiles are wonderful!

 

Lapis was also used as eye makeup.

 

True, it was one of the minerals used for kohl. We think of kohl as black, but it could be several colours, including lapis blue and malachite green. The famous King Tut mask has lapis kohl.