Lapis Lazuli Facts, Information and Description
Lapis Lazuli is listed as the traditional birthstone for December. (Note that the official birthstone list
adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912 denotes Turquoise and blue Topaz as
the official birthstones.) It is also the Planetary stone for Capricorn and the birthstone for Libra. See the
birthstone tables for additional references to lapis. Lapis may be given as a gem on the 7th and 9th
wedding anniversary.
Lapis is considered a rock, not a mineral. It combines various minerals, mostly lazurite, but also contains
calcite (white), sodalite (blue) and pyrite (fools' gold, a metallic yellow) and to be considered a mineral it
would have only one component.
Top quality lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan where is has been mined for more than 6000 years, but
is also found in Siberia, Chile, the U.S., Pakistan, and Canada.
A strong blue, sometimes with a hint of violet, lapis lazuli's value decreases with the presence of white
patches (calcite), while small veins of pyrite are often prized.
The Egyptians used Lapis for seals, ground it for an eyelid cosmetic and often carved it into vases and
figurines.
A soft stone, 5 -5.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, lapis lazuli is one of the most valuable semi opaque
stones.
Lapis Folklore, Legend, and Healing Properties:
Strengthens total awareness, creativity, ESP, skeleton, thyroid, helps to expand viewpoint. It is believed
to improve sleep and cure insomnia.
The Romans used lapis as an aphrodisiac.
During ancient times lapis was ground up and used for medicinal purposes as well as a cosmetic. The
ground powder was mixed with milk and used as a compress to relieve ulcers and boils and, during the
Middle Ages, lapis lazuli was believed to maintain the skeleton in healthy condition while keeping the
spirit free from the negative emotions of fear and jealousy.
Lapis is used to energize the throat chakra and when placed over the brow chakra it induces a
heightened state of awareness.
Fact: Lapis lazuli or lapis for short is mostly lazurite but commonly contains pyrite and calcite. The name
means blue rock and is always a brilliant blue with violet or greenish tints. The rich blue color is due to
the sulfur that is inherent in the structure of lazurite. In a piece of jewelry the small crystals of pyrite
found in lapis blend with the setting, looking like gold in a gold setting and silver in a silver setting, giving
the stone a personality all its own.
The best source of lapis is in the remote mountains in Afghanistan. It is also found in Chile and in lesser
quantities elsewhere.
It was first mined (in Afghanistan) 6000 years ago. The rock was transported to Egypt and present day
Iraq and later to Europe where it was used in jewelry and for ornamental stone. It was even ground
down and used for paint.
Fancy: Lapis is one of the oldest spiritual stones known, it was used mainly by priests and royalty in
ancient Egypt. Many believe that the Biblical sapphire was actually lapis lazuli.Through the ages, lapis
has been associated with power, wisdom, love, and most frequently as a stimulator for psychic abilities.
It is believed to stimulate inner vision, give enhanced wisdom, insight and good judgment.
Finished Jewelry using Lapis