Lapis Lazuli
About
Lapis lazuli is an ancient blue gemstone primarily composed of the minerals lazurite, calcite, and pyrite, giving it a characteristic deep blue hue with golden flecks. Lapis lazuli has been used in art, jewellery, and spiritual practices for thousands of years, especially in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Major sources of lapis include Afghanistan, Chile, and Russia.
Birthstones & Anniversaries
Lapis lazuli is not a traditional birthstone but is often associated with the zodiac signs Sagittarius and Libra.
Crystal Healing Energy
The overarching theme of lapis lazuli is truth and enlightenment. Often seen as a stone of the mind, lapis is believed to stimulate intellectual abilities, promote honesty, and enhance spiritual insight. Its grounding and balancing energy supports clear communication, inner power, and self-expression, making it a popular choice for those seeking mental clarity and emotional strength.
Facts
Ancient Pigment: Lapis was ground into the ultramarine pigment used by Renaissance artists for paintings, especially in religious art.
Historical Symbolism: Revered in ancient Egypt, lapis was believed to bring wisdom and was used to craft scarabs and the eye of Horus.
Golden Flecks: The pyrite inclusions give lapis a unique sparkle, adding to its aesthetic and making each piece distinct.
Major Deposits: The most famous lapis deposits are in Afghanistan, especially the Badakhshan mines, which have been mined for thousands of years.
Distinct Colour: Lapis’s intense blue is due to sulphur content in the mineral lazurite, a rare and unique blue mineral.
Science
Mineral: Rock primarily composed of lazurite, with calcite and pyrite inclusions
Crystal System: None (aggregate of minerals, primarily cubic lazurite)
Chemistry: (Na,Ca)₈(AlSiO₄)₆(SO₄,S,Cl)₂
Colour: Deep blue with flecks of gold (pyrite) and occasional white streaks (calcite)
Refractive Index: Approx. 1.50
Specific Gravity: 2.7 to 2.9
Mohs Hardness: 5 to 5.5
TreatmentsLapis lazuli may be dyed to enhance its blue colour or impregnated with wax or oil to improve its polish and surface appearance. Lower-quality lapis is often dyed to mimic the richer hues of higher-grade material.
SyntheticsSynthetic lapis lazuli is produced to resemble the natural stone, often made from a mixture of synthetic materials to replicate its colour and flecks of pyrite. These synthetics are used in jewellery and ornamental objects.
ImitationsDyed howlite and blue jasper are common imitations of lapis lazuli. These stones are sometimes dyed to achieve a similar blue shade, though they lack the genuine pyrite inclusions and specific mineral composition of real lapis.
similar materialsSodalite: Often confused with lapis lazuli due to its deep blue colour but typically lacks the golden flecks of pyrite.
Azurite: A deep blue mineral that can resemble lapis lazuli, though it is softer and lacks lapis’s characteristic golden inclusions.
Blue Dyed Quartz: Sometimes dyed to mimic lapis lazuli but lacks pyrite and has a different crystal structure.