Lapis Lazuli Stone: Properties, Benefits & Meanings
Lapis Lazuli Stone Overview
Lapis Lazuli is perhaps one of the most ancient stones that humans have used. It has been known in the ancient world as early as 7000 BC and has been used by many cultures all around the globe.
It is a beautiful blue semi-precious stone that has fascinated people for thousands of years and continues to do so today.
This article will take a look into the properties, meanings, and uses of the Lapis Lazuli stone.
What Is Lapis Lazuli Crystal?
Lapis Lazuli is a semi-precious blue stone mined from the Earth. It’s prized for its rich blue color, which comes from the presence of Lazulite. This gemstone was used by ancient Egyptians to make jewelry and decorative objects and is used in modern times to make everything from jewelry to painting pigments.
Lapis Lazuli has also been widely used in medicine, art, spirituality, and as a powerful healing stone for thousands of years, and it continues to be used today.
Origin Of The Name Lapis Lazuli
The word “Lapis” is adopted from the Latin word for “stone,” and “lazuli” is of the Medieval Latin word “lazulum,” which itself is further derived from Sanskrit “rājavarť.” It means “sky” or “heaven,”; so this is a “stone from the sky/heaven.”
The earliest recorded use of the term lapis-lazuli appears to be from Gemmarum et Lapidum Historia, a book by mineralogist Anselmus Boetus de Boodt in 1693.
How is A Lapis Lazuli Stone Formed?
Blue Lapis Lazuli forms under specific conditions during the metamorphosis of minerals. This means that the mineral was subjected to high temperatures and pressures during the formation of its parent rock, most likely due to the collision of tectonic plates.
Lapis Lazuli Stone Appearance
The color of this stone ranges from deep azure to pale sky blue and even white.
The intense blue color of the Lapis stone is caused by the presence of trisulfur radical anions in its crystal structure.
The color of Lapis Lazuli is the result of its composition and how it weathered during formation. In high-quality gems, the blue is evenly distributed throughout; but Lapis Lazuli stones generally tend to be spotted.
Fine pyrite present in the stone can enhance its color with streaks or highlights that give a brassy gold shimmer. However, too much of the same mineral causes a dull, greenish tint in the gemstone.
History And Facts About The Lapis Stone
Afghanistan has been a major source of the Lapis stone for thousands of years, supplying it to the ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, and later the Greeks and Romans.
During the Renaissance, people ground Lapis Lazuli stones and processed it to make a pigment called ultramarine. It was used in oil painting until the early 19th century when chemically identical synthetic varieties became available.
Where Can You Find Lapis Lazuli Stones?
Lapis Lazuli stones were historically mined from Afghanistan, but it is also found in the following countries:
Lapis Lazuli Properties
| Mineral Group | Sodalite |
| Formula | Na7Ca(Al6Si6O24)(SO4)(S3) · H2O |
| Color | Blue, Violet |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 5 – 5.5 |
| Refractive Index | 1.565 – 1.602 |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Luster | Vitreous, Greasy |
| Specific Gravity | 2.50 – 3.00 |
| Transparency | Opaque |
Lapis Lazuli Stone Value
The Lapis Lazuli stone can generally range from 5 – 100$ per carat. Following are some factors that influence the price of this gemstone. High-quality Lapis Lazuli stones can go for a few hundred dollars.
- Size: Bigger stones are usually rarer and hence more expensive. The larger the size of the Lapis Lazuli, the higher its price will be.
- Cut: The cut of a gemstone determines how much light enters its surface and reflects back to your eyes. A well-cut gem is beautiful and much more valuable than an uncut stone. Due to labor costs, Rough Lapis will usually be much less expensive than a professionally cut stone.
- Color: Lapis Lazuli is blue in color, but some stones are more greenish-blue than others. The intensity and shade of blue can also determine the stone’s value. The most valued color for a polished stone is royal blue.
- Clarity: The clarity of a gemstone determines how free from imperfections it is. If there are no visible flaws or inclusions, the stone is considered to be flawless. Gems with fewer flaws are more valuable than those with many inclusions.
How To Tell If Lapis Lazuli Is Real?
Here are some ways to check if your Lapis Lazuli is real
- Acetone test: The acetone test is an excellent way to separate a genuine crystal from a fake one. Place your Lapis Lazuli gemstone in acetone for 15 minutes up to an hour. If the color came off or faded away, it was only blue paint. Natural Lapis Lazuli stones don’t give off color in acetone.
- Check for inclusions: Inclusions are tiny spots or specks in the stone that can be seen with a magnifying glass. Inclusions are natural and are signs that the stone is genuine. If there are no inclusions, then it’s most likely fake.
- Color: Check the color for vibrancy and monotony. If it’s monotonous and lacks depth, it is likely fake. Look for natural color changes, which are most common in the center of the stone. Real Lapis will have variations in the beautiful dark blue color. It can even have some flecks of gold mixed in.
If you are not sure, contact a gemologist or a jeweler to help you out.
Lapis Lazuli Chakra Connection
Lapis Lazuli strongly connects to both the Third Eye chakra and the Throat chakra.
The Third Eye chakra is associated with psychic abilities and clairvoyance, while the Throat chakra is related to communication.
When these chakras are imbalanced, we may experience an inability to communicate our thoughts effectively to those around us. Similarly, we would experience difficulty in being able to read a situation and make decisions based on what we have learned.
Lapis Lazuli is an excellent stone to use when you need clarity of thought and communication. It revitalizes these chakras and helps you think clearly and effectively communicate your thoughts. It is also wonderful to use when speaking in public or performing on stage. It helps calm nerves and reduces anxiety so that you can give a powerful performance.
Which Birthstone Is Blue Lapis Lazuli?
Lapis Lazuli is the traditional birthstone for anyone born in September. A Lapis Lazuli pendant makes an excellent gift for birthdays.
People living in antiquity and the Middle Ages believed that gemstones reflected aspects of the cosmos. For example, Lapis lazuli was said to reflect Jupiter—the gas giant of our solar system.
What does Lapis Lazuli Symbolize?
- Friendship: Lapis Lazuli was often worn as a sign of friendship and loyalty. The stone was believed to strengthen the bonds between friends and lovers. The stone brought harmony to relationships and encouraged friendship between people, just like its color—blue is synonymous with calmness.
- Love: The lapis lazuli stone was believed to promote love and passion in relationships. It was also thought to bring out the best in people, helping them to be more selfless and giving. Lapis lazuli’s association with Jupiter also made it a popular choice for engagement rings in ancient times.
- Protection: The lapis lazuli stone was thought to offer protection against negative energy and other forms of harm. Travelers wore it as a talisman against any dangers they might encounter on their journeys, and it was also considered particularly useful for protection against witchcraft.
- Good Luck: Lapis Lazuli gemstone was thought to bring good fortune to those who wore it. It was believed to help people achieve their goals in life and attract wealth and abundance. The stone was thought to help attract new opportunities and open doors that would otherwise be closed.
Meaning Of Lapis Lazuli Stone
Natural Lapis Lazuli is said to have many metaphysical properties, some of which are discussed here.
- Lapis Lazuli is known as a “Stone of Truth” because it symbolizes wisdom and truthfulness. It is said to encourage honesty and integrity in all one’s endeavors, including relationships. It is a stone that promotes honesty in oneself and others. It is said that the wearer of lapis lazuli can see through lies and deception.
- Lapis Lazuli is a stone of creativity. It enhances artistic endeavors, including writing, performing arts, and crafts. It can help you to be more creative and open your mind to new opportunities. It is said to bring out one’s inner beauty and allow one to access the wisdom and knowledge necessary to create new ideas. It is believed that it can stimulate inspiration and enhance positive thinking.
- A Lapis Lazuli ring is helpful during meditation. It can be used to access higher states of consciousness and help you remain calm, focused, and positive during meditation. It is said to open the mind’s eye and enhance psychic abilities. Lapis Lazuli is an excellent aid for those who want to gain a deep understanding of their spiritual path. It is said to help one reach a higher state of consciousness and connect with spiritual energies. You can use it during astral travel to visit other realms and dimensions.
- Lapis Lazuli is a stone of mental strength, fortitude, and courage. It can help you to stay positive in the face of adversity and give you the confidence you need to take decisive action toward achieving goals. It helps you recognize your inner beauty and accept who you are. It boosts your sense of purpose and encourages you to live up to your full potential.
- Lapis Lazuli is a stone of communication, opening the mind to higher levels of consciousness. It can help you to speak your truth. This stone supports clear thinking and allows one to avoid confusion while communicating with others. It can enhance one’s ability to write or speak eloquently and persuasively. Furthermore, some people use it to treat sore throats due to its connection to the throat chakra.
- Lapis Lazuli necklaces can be used to enhance psychic abilities. It can also open one’s mind to spiritual wisdom and teachings. It helps one achieve a state of inner calm so that one may develop a connection with the inner self, known as the source of all knowledge. It is an excellent stone to aid you in your spiritual journey. It can also be used as an amplifier for telepathic abilities. It is said to increase your intellectual abilities and protect you against psychic attacks.
- A Lapis lazuli necklace can also help heal emotional wounds. It helps balance emotions and calm nerves so you can move forward without being held back by fear or regret from old experiences that no longer matter today. It can help you see things from another person’s perspective and open your heart to their needs.
How To Clean Lapis Lazuli Stone Jewelry?
To retain your jewelry’s beauty, try to clean it regularly. Some simple steps are given below:
- Soak your Lapis Lazuli stone jewelry in soapy water for 15 minutes.
- Use a soft toothbrush to remove any dirt or grime on the gemstone. If the stains persist, you can use soap to loosen them up.
- After thorough washing, use a soft cloth to dry and polish the jewelry until it’s shiny again.
- Always store your gemstones in a cool and dry place.
- Burn white sage or other cleansing materials to remove any leftover negative energy in your crystals
- Recharge your stone by burying it in the ground to absorb the Earth’s natural energy. Leave it overnight
Do not use chemicals or strong detergents, as they can damage the Lapis Lazuli stone or cause it to lose its brilliance.
FAQ
Which Gemstones Go Best With Lapis Lazuli Stone?
The best way to pair Lapis Lazuli stone with other gems is by using complementary colors. For example, you can combine it with red or orange-red gemstones like garnet or bloodstone if you want a bold look. You can also use green or yellow-green gems like tourmaline and amber if you want something more subtle.
What Is Lapis Lazuli Stone Good For?
Lapis lazuli is a wonderful blue stone that is often used in jewelry and craft projects. The stone has been known throughout history to have a variety of healing properties, as well as being used for spiritual purposes.
What Are The Healing Properties Of Lapis Lazuli Stone?
Lapis Lazuli is a stone with a long history of use in healing rituals. It is an excellent source of energy and will help improve your mental clarity and focus. In addition, it will help relieve any stress and calm the nerves during stressful situations.
Is Lapis Lazuli Stone Heat Treated?
Yes, Lapis Lazuli is sometimes subjected to high temperatures. This process results in an intense blue color with an almost metallic sheen. Some pale-blue varieties of Lapis Lazuli can be heat treated to intensify the color. However, it sometimes develops an undesirable greenish-blue tint in some stones.
