I have to say that Lapis Lazuli is one of my most favorite stones. I love the royal blue color. It’s no surprise that this stone was mined and used over 5000 years ago. The Egyptians and other ancient cultures used Lapis Lazuli for blue pigments as well as jewelry. 

Lapis Lazuli is the ingredient in the color pigment called ultramarine. 

It has been inlaid in the walls and ceilings of countless churches and palaces. The original source in the mountains of Afghanistan are still producing quality Lapis. Other mines in Russia and Chile produce Lapis that has less blue and more streaks of other minerals. I was surprised to find out that Lapis’ coloring agent is Sulphur. Inclusions of pyrite are the most prized as long as there isn’t too much pyrite which makes the color greener.

Fun fact, Lapis Lazuli is not considered a mineral, but is a rock. According to wiki “minerals are a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure formed by geological processes. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals whereas a rock may also include organic remains and mineraloids. Some rocks are predominantly composed of just one mineral.” 

Sources:

Lapis Lazuli is mined in Afghanistan, Russia, Chilie, Italy, United States, Egypt, Middle East.

Care of Lapis Lazuli:

Do not wear Lapis while doing housework. Chemicals, especially acids and alkalines. Do not put a lot of pressure on the stone, or it will break. Avoid hot baths and high heat.

Metaphysical Properties:

According to the Crystal Bible by Judy Hall, Lapis ”stimulates enlightenment and enhances dream work and psychic abilities, facilitating spiritual journeying and stimulating personal and spiritual power.” 

Physical Properties:

Per the Gemstones of the World 5th Edition by Walter Schumann: "

• Color: Lazur blur, violet, greenish-blue
• Color of streak: Light Blue
• Mohs' hardness: 5-6
• Density: 2.50-3.00
• Cleavage: Indistinct
• Fracture: Conchoidal, grainy
• Crystal system: (Cubic) rare, dense aggrgates
• Chemical composition: Na6Ca2[S,SO4,Cl2)2lAl6Si6O24] sodium calcium aluminum silicate
• Transparency: Opaque
• Refractive index: About 1.50
• Double refraction: none
• Dispersion: None
• Pleochroism: Absent
• Absorption: Not diagnostic
• Fluorescence: Strong: white also orange, copper colored

I have several Lapis Lazuli necklaces and pendants in my online store. 

Join the Newsletter if you haven't already and then go shopping in the menu above.