Lapis Lazuli : Meaning, origins and properties

What is lapis lazuli?

What is the meaning of lapis lazuli stone?

The name of this natural stone means "blue stone". It comes from the Latin lapis, meaning mineral, and the Arabic lazul, meaning blue.

The origin of the lapis lazuli stone

This gemstone, previously called "semi-precious stone", has fascinated people since the dawn of time. Over the centuries, lapis lazuli has been considered a symbol of health, nobility, luck, divine strength, power, courage, elegance and purity.

It has often been used to create luxurious objects and sumptuous jewelry. In prehistoric times, lapis lazuli was already mounted in jewelry or worn as an ornament. The Egyptians used it to adorn the funeral masks of the Pharaohs and to create lucky charms in the shape of an eye or a scarab.

In the Middle Ages, this blue stone was also ground into powder to make ultramarine blue pigments. It was then used to dye fabrics or to paint supports or paintings, as can be seen on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel or on the painting The Girl with a Pearl by Vermeer.

What are the properties of lapis lazuli?

This natural stone is part of the Feldspathoid family. Its hardness is between 5 and 6 on the Mohs scale and its density varies between 2.5 and 3.

It is composed of lazurite. It also contains pyrite when it has golden flakes or calcite when it is speckled with white.

What is the color of lapis lazuli?

Deep blue, with golden or white flakes depending on its composition.

Its color can be reminiscent of a starry sky.

It is often confused with sapphire, sodalite

Where is lapis lazuli found?

The main deposits of lapis lazuli are in Afghanistan, where the oldest deposits were discovered, but also in Chile, where it is considered the national stone. There are also deposits in Peru, Angola, Pakistan, Burma and North America.
The oldest deposits were discovered in Afghanistan.

What are the benefits of lapis lazuli?

Lapis lazuli would have a calming effect to reduce stress and would promote communication and self-confidence. This blue stone would be very beneficial to boost the creative spirit.
It is linked to the throat chakra (the 5th chakra) and the frontal chakra, also called the Third Eye (the 6th chakra).

Warning: our gemstones are not sold for lithotherapy. Natural stones can in no way substitute for medical expertise or treatment.

How to recharge lapis lazuli ?

If you want to clean your lapis lazuli stone, you can purify it in clear, pure or distilled water.
To recharge lapis lazuli, it is advisable to place your fine stone directly under the moonlight, ideally when it is full moon.

How to wear lapis lazuli?

Its intense blue color goes well with warm colors like gold-filled or gold-plated, or even rose gold.
If you are more into silver jewelry, 925 Silver or Stainless Steel will allow you to create cool elegant jewelry.

In lithotherapy, the lapis lazuli stone goes very well with other blue stones like apatite, sodalite, larimar, blue aventurine or aquamarine. You can also pair it with amethyst, fluorite, labradorite or moonstone. These stones would give off similar energies and enhance calm and serenity.
On the other hand, it is not advisable to combine them with red jasper, malachite, black obsidian or onyx. These stones are too powerful and too energizing and would attenuate the benefits of Lapis lazuli.

But if you choose a lapis lazuli stone only for its beauty and brilliance, then all stones are allowed! Simply combine it with the ones you like...