Lapis Lazuli

What is Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli is not a single mineral but a rock, built up from several minerals that together create its distinctive colour. The blue base comes from Lazurite, a mineral of the sodalite group in which sulphur produces the intense blue. Between it you often see white veins of Calcite and golden flecks of Pyrite, which look like little stars in a night sky. The rock forms when limestone is reshaped by heat and pressure close to igneous rocks, a process called contact metamorphism. With a hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Lapis Lazuli is fairly soft and slightly porous, which means it asks for a little extra care when worn and cleaned.

Meaning and History of Lapis Lazuli

The name tells the story of the colour right away. Lapis is Latin for stone, and lazuli goes back to the Persian lāžward, which means blue or azure and also lies at the root of words like azure and the Spanish azul. The oldest mines are near Sar-e-Sang in Afghanistan, where Lapis Lazuli has been mined for more than six thousand years. In ancient Egypt the stone was more precious than gold: it adorned the funerary mask of Tutankhamun, and according to tradition Cleopatra ground Lapis Lazuli into blue eyeshadow. The Sumerians worked the stone into the royal tombs of Ur. Later, in the Renaissance, painters ground it into the famous pigment ultramarine, so costly that it was reserved for the robe of the Virgin Mary. To this day, Lapis Lazuli therefore symbolizes truth, wisdom and royal dignity.

Physical Properties Lapis Lazuli

On an energetic level, Lapis Lazuli is seen as a stone that brings the mind to rest. Those who worry a lot or stay on edge for days on end sometimes find that their thoughts keep churning late into the evening. Lapis Lazuli is associated with easing that mental pressure: it is said to help order the stream of thoughts, so your head feels calmer. Many people experience more room to relax as a result, and find it easier to fall asleep. The stone is also linked to releasing pent-up tension around the throat and neck, the place where we often hold unspoken words. In this way, Lapis Lazuli can offer energetic support for relaxation and recovery.

Please note: gemstones can offer support on an emotional and energetic level, but are never a substitute for medical or professional care. If you have any complaints or concerns, always consult your physician.

Lapis Lazuli and Communication

Lapis Lazuli is known as the stone of honest communication, which makes it a favorite for anyone who sometimes feels unheard. Do you have a difficult conversation ahead, need to voice your opinion in a meeting or finally say what has been bothering you? Then Lapis Lazuli is gladly called upon for support. Carry a tumbled stone in your pocket or bag, so you can hold it just before a nerve-racking moment. Place a rough piece or a polished slice on your desk or where you often call or meet. If you want to work consciously on your self-expression, hold the stone against your throat during a quiet moment and say out loud what you want to express. As jewellery, for example a necklace resting at throat height, its influence stays close to your voice all day. In this way, Lapis Lazuli becomes a tangible support for saying what you really mean.

Spiritual Properties

Spiritually, Lapis Lazuli is the stone of wisdom and inner knowing. It is seen as a bridge between your reason and your intuition, and is said to help you see the truth behind your thoughts more clearly. People working with meditation, self-reflection or intuitive development therefore value Lapis Lazuli as a companion. The stone is said to open the inner eye and make insights accessible that you easily miss in the busyness of daily life. At the same time, Lapis Lazuli has a strong link with honesty towards yourself. It is used to set aside old masks and dare to look at what is really going on, even when that is uncomfortable. For sensitive people that is valuable: you learn to know your boundaries and to set them with calm and self-assurance. Lapis Lazuli also helps connect heart and mind, so that what you feel and what you say line up again. In this way, Lapis Lazuli brings insight and sincerity together in one stone.

How to Use Lapis Lazuli?

• Wear Lapis Lazuli as jewelry, for example one of our Lapis Lazuli bracelets or Lapis Lazuli pendants, so its calming energy travels with you all day.
• Place a larger piece or a free form on your workspace or in the study, where the deep blue brings focus and a clear atmosphere.
• Hold a tumbled stone in your hand during meditation, or place it on your Third Eye Chakra to give your intuition room.
• Put a Lapis Lazuli on your desk or beside the phone in periods when you have many important conversations, as a tangible reminder to stay honest and calm.

Types and Varieties of Lapis Lazuli

• Afghan Lapis Lazuli: the classic, deep blue quality from Sar-e-Sang, with a rich royal blue and fine golden Pyrite flecks. It is considered the most prized form.
• Chilean Lapis Lazuli: often lighter in colour with more white Calcite, giving a softer, slightly cloudy blue tone that is also called denim Lapis.
• Russian Lapis Lazuli: from the Lake Baikal region, usually evenly blue with modest Pyrite, valued for its uniform color.

Beautiful Gemstone Combinations

Sodalite

Sodalite is closely related to Lapis Lazuli and shares its deep blue and its bond with communication. Where Lapis Lazuli encourages you to speak your truth, Sodalite helps you order your thoughts calmly and logically first. Together they support clear thinking and honestly putting into words what you believe.

Carnelian

Carnelian brings warmth and drive, which complements the cool, mental energy of Lapis Lazuli beautifully. While Lapis Lazuli gives insight and overview, Carnelian adds the courage to actually take action. This duo was already loved in ancient Egypt and suits anyone who wants to turn insight into steps.

Rock Crystal

Rock Crystal strengthens the workings of other stones and brings clarity, which gives the wisdom of Lapis Lazuli extra power. While Lapis Lazuli leads you to your inner truth, Rock Crystal makes that message clear and pure. This pair suits meditation and moments when you are looking for direction.

Recognizing Genuine Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is often imitated or dyed, so it pays to look closely. Genuine Lapis Lazuli usually has an uneven, lively blue with natural white Calcite veins and small, irregularly scattered golden Pyrite flecks that shine metallically. An overly even, bright blue without any variation often points to dyed Howlite or Jasper, or to pressed and colored material. With dyed imitations the colour can sometimes rub off onto a cotton cloth with a little acetone. A suspiciously low price, a weight that feels too light or a completely smooth, plastic-feeling surface are also signals to stay alert. At Kristalmeester we only sell natural Lapis Lazuli. We take all photos ourselves and you will receive exactly the product shown in the photo.

Properties

• Hardness: 5 to 5.5 (Mohs scale)
• Density: 2.7 to 2.9 g/cm³
• Composition: Lazurite (Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2, with Calcite (CaCO3) and Pyrite (FeS2)
• Crystal structure: cubic (Lazurite)
• Colour: deep blue with white Calcite veins and golden Pyrite flecks

Locations

• Afghanistan
• Chile
• Russia
• Pakistan
• Myanmar
• Argentina
• Italy
• United States

Zodiac Signs

Sagittarius

Sagittarius searches for truth and meaning and loves honest, open conversations. Lapis Lazuli feeds that quest with wisdom and helps Sagittarius put insights into careful words too. This way the fiery sign stays sincere without becoming too blunt.

Libra

Libra revolves around honesty, balance and justice. Lapis Lazuli supports this sign in speaking the truth without losing sight of harmony. The stone helps Libra reach decisions from inner knowing.

Virgo

Virgo thinks sharply and values clarity and care. Lapis Lazuli calms the busy mind of this sign and brings overview to its many thoughts. This way Virgo can analyse without getting lost in it.

Chakras

Throat Chakra

The Throat Chakra revolves around communication and expressing your truth. Lapis Lazuli resonates strongly with it and supports you in saying what you truly mean. A stone placed here helps you let your voice be heard honestly and calmly.

Third Eye Chakra

The Third Eye Chakra is the centre of intuition and insight. Lapis Lazuli is used here to strengthen your inner knowing and bring clarity to what you feel. During meditation the stone helps you tell thought and intuition apart.

Crown Chakra

The Crown Chakra connects you with awareness and the greater whole. Lapis Lazuli fits this Chakra because it brings wisdom and spiritual deepening together. It therefore offers beautiful support for reflection and moments of stillness.

Care

With its hardness of 5 to 5.5, Lapis Lazuli is a softer and slightly porous stone, best cleaned without water. So do not clean Lapis Lazuli under the tap and do not submerge it: the Calcite and Pyrite it contains are sensitive to moisture, and prolonged water can affect the surface and the colour. Instead, cleanse the stone energetically by passing it through the smoke of Sage or Palo Santo, or place it on Hematite Chips overnight to discharge. To charge it, place Lapis Lazuli on Rock Crystal Chips, or briefly in soft moonlight. Avoid prolonged fierce sunlight, as the deep blue of Lapis Lazuli can fade over time. Store the stone apart from harder crystals, so the surface does not scratch.

More information about the cleansing and charging of gemstones can be found in our blog "The cleansing and charging of gemstones".

Frequently Asked Questions about Lapis Lazuli

What does Lapis Lazuli mean?

The name comes from the Latin lapis, stone, and the Persian lazuli, which means blue or azure. Lapis Lazuli symbolizes truth, wisdom and clear communication, and is often called the stone of honesty.

Can Lapis Lazuli get wet?

No, it is better not to clean Lapis Lazuli under water. The stone is soft and slightly porous and contains Calcite and Pyrite, which are sensitive to moisture, so cleanse it with smoke or on Hematite Chips.

Can Lapis Lazuli be placed in sunlight?

Briefly is fine, but do not leave Lapis Lazuli in fierce sun for long. The deep blue can fade over time, so charge the stone on moonlight or on Rock Crystal Chips instead.

Which Chakra is associated with Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli resonates most strongly with the Throat Chakra, the centre of communication. It also works on the Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra, for intuition and spiritual deepening.

Where is the best place to put Lapis Lazuli?

Place Lapis Lazuli on your workspace or beside the phone when you have many important conversations. During meditation it comes into its own on your throat or Third Eye Chakra, and as jewelry it stays close to your voice.

Summary

Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue rock of Lazurite, with white Calcite veins and golden Pyrite flecks. The name literally means blue stone, and for more than six thousand years it has been mined and prized at Sar-e-Sang, from the mask of Tutankhamun to the pigment ultramarine. On an energetic level, Lapis Lazuli brings your mind to rest, strengthens your intuition and supports you in honest communication. It resonates with the Throat Chakra, the Third Eye Chakra and the Crown Chakra, and suits Sagittarius, Libra and Virgo beautifully. Cleanse it without water using smoke or Hematite Chips, charge it on moonlight or Rock Crystal Chips, and spare the colour in fierce sun.

If you have any questions about Lapis Lazuli, please do not hesitate to contact Kristalmeester. We are happy to help.