Lapis lazuli has been used in jewelry since ancient times. Seen as a symbol of friendship, truth, and courage, this beautiful stone is said to foster loyalty and honesty, attract friendship, strengthen relationships, relieve melancholy and fear, enhance creativity, and help us to accept ourselves where we are. Lapis is believed to clear a path for honest and truthful communication even when we have difficult emotions to convey. It is believed to clear our minds and allow us to see the right path to make wise decisions. It helps us to turn negative into positive, gives us courage and wisdom, and it protects us from negative emotions. Lapis is one of the birthstones for the months of September and December. It is associated with the Zodiac signs of Capricorn, Libra, and Sagittarius. It is given for the 7th and 9th years of marriage.
The following two articles about lapis lazuli were written by Stephanie Pflumm
Lapis Lazuli, a mineral consisting of lazurite, silica, aluminum, Calcite and Pyrite, is the result of stones like Limestone and Granite becoming liquified by flowing magma. Many of the finest deposits are found embedded in layers of these stones.
It is one of the very first gemstones mined. Ancient mines in Afghanistan have been worked, according to one resource, since 6000 BC. Some of these mines are worked today using the same techniques utilized thousands of years ago.
In rare instances, Lapis will form tiny rhombic dodecahedron (12 sided) crystals. Usually not much larger than a peanut or fingernail. It has been found in greens, reds and violets, but the blue has always been the most prized color.
The historic mines in Afghanistan are still the most productive source for Lapis today. Significant deposits have been found in Chili, though these tend to be more green. Smaller occurrences of this precious blue gem have been found in Turkey, California, Canada, Russia and just outside Rome near Mt. Vesuvius.
Originally called Sapphire, Lapis Lazuli’s history is long and colorful. During the middle ages in Europe powdered Lapis was used to create a distinctive blue pigment known as ultramarine. This brilliant blue paint was used in many masterpieces and to decorate the hand written manuscripts of the day.
The Egyptian Book Of The Dead describes a monthly ceremony using a Lapis Lazuli carved in the shape of an eye and decorated with Gold. It was believed that Ra, their supreme God, would put a similar image on his forehead at the same time.
Egyptians also used the gem to create the original blue eye shadows and as a dye for clothing. It was extremely popular as a carved scarab and countless pieces of jewelry have been found in the pyramids with Lapis stones.
King Solomon was given a Lapis ring by an Angel which enabled him to control legions of demons. He used this powerful ring to build his great temple.
The Romans used pulverized Lapis Lazuli as an aphrodisiac; it was also taken as an antidote to poisons.
A word of caution if you enjoy wearing this gemstone in jewelry. Lapis is very soft and easily affected by cleaning agents and solvents. Even wearing it in a hot bath can change the color or damage the stone. It can be scratched by almost any other stone, so it is recommended that it be stored away from other pieces.
Lapis Lazuli is a frequently imitated stone. There is a man-made stone call Gilson Synthetic Ultramarine that is very convincing as Lapis. Jasper from Switzerland is often dyed blue and sold as “Swiss Lapis” and a synthetic spinel has been grown in laboratories that recreates the grainy texture of the true gemstone.
The sparkling Pyrite inclusions against the deep blue backdrop of Lapis creates a striking resemblance of the night sky. Early spiritual uses of the gemstone included prophetic dreaming or inviting a peaceful sleep.
This is an excellent meditation tool. Lapis Lazuli is highly effective at opening the Third Eye or 6th Chakra. The stone will allow for better communication with the different dimensions or use it for looking into the future. Keep this psychic stimulator with your divining tools such as Crystal balls, Tarot cards, pendulums etc.
Sleeping with this gemstone can help you see the meaning in your dreams more clearly. Allowing you to use the messages or information that your subconscious is providing.
Lapis Lazuli will attract true friendships into your life. If your youngster is painfully shy, a small piece of Lapis will give them courage. Use it yourself for better judgment and insight to make tough decisions or to see the truth in misleading situations.
A perfect wedding stone, Lapis promotes fidelity between partners. The same is true for business partnerships. It will give you wisdom and protect you from dangerous emotions like envy and fear.
It can also be worn as protection against danger or to change destructive energies into useful ones. The stone will assist you in balancing your yin yang, allowing you to take advantage of both male and female strengths within you.
As a healer, Lapis Lazuli will aid in overcoming insomnia and as mentioned earlier, used as an antidote for poisons. It can assist in treating eye disorders or pulverized and mixed with water to create a poultice.
Lapis will reduce fevers, help with diseases of the blood or aid in repairing broken bones. It imparts physical strength to the arms and legs and can be used to tranquilize frayed nerves. It provides relief from pain or help you overcome melancholy.
This information was taken from ORE Features, a publication written by Stephanie Pflumm, reprinted with permission.
ORE'S FEATURED GEMSTONE: Lapis Lazuli
Look deep into the midnight blue sky and delight at the flash of distant stars. It is no wonder that so many traditions have attached the power of gods and heaven to the Lapis Lazuli gemstone. To gaze upon this rich blue stone with its mesmerizing flecks of Pyrite, is to set your eyes on the depths of the Universe.
Lapis Lazuli is almost as complex as the Universe. It forms from the mineral Lazurite in contact zones when it meets with Sodium and Aluminum. Traces of Calcium, Sulfur, Silicon and Oxygen are also found in the gem along with embedded Pyrite crystals. It is the bright gold flecks of Pyrite reflecting from the stone's dark blue surface that creates its heavenly mystic.
Unlike other crystals and gems (which can appear in a whole rainbow of colors), Lapis Lazuli only comes in shades of blue to bluish green. Its name comes from a combination of Arabic and Latin words meaning blue stone. Pliny the Elder, the Old Testament, and other ancient texts refer to the gemstone as Sapphire, because of its deep blue hues.
In Rome it was called Arminaqun, because it traveled through Armenia to reach the Roman citizens. Assyrians referred to the gem as Uknu. It was one of the stones set in a medallion to be worn upon their king's breast.
Considering its reasonable prices, Lapis Lazuli is pretty rare. There are only a few locations where the gem is available. The richest and oldest resource is Afghanistan. It is also found in Chile, the US, Myanmar and Russia. The mines in Afghanistan have been worked for over 6000 years and are believed to be the source for much of the ancient world's Lapis Lazuli.
Deep in the Valley of Kokcha in Northeast Afghanistan lies some of the finest Lapis Lazuli in the world. It is not an easy region to get to, the last stretch must be covered on horseback and still takes a full day of travel. In 1837 a British Lieutenant (John Wood) made the trek and wrote in his journal "If you do not wish to die, avoid the Valley of Kokcha".
Afghanistan's geological history is riddled with tectonic collisions, orogeny (mountain building) and magmatic activity. This violent combination of events provides the perfect formula for the creation of Lapis Lazuli, along with 1400 different minerals. Gold, Copper, Iron, Talc, Halite, Garnet, Calcite, Sodalite, Apatite and Diopside are just a few of the hundreds of unique and often rare minerals created in this hyper-active geological zone.
From our very first glimpse of Lapis Lazuli we could see and appreciate its power and divine connections. Quickly the gemstone became an important part of many different religious and spiritual traditions.
Egyptians especially revere the heaven struck Lapis Lazuli. Various chapters of their Book Of The Dead were carved on stones. Prayers and incantations within the chapters provided safe passage for those traveling into the next life. Amulets such as the heart and the tet (a hieroglyph representing stability and preservation) are needed for this journey as well. The book recommends Lapis Lazuli, Carnelian and Jet as some of the gems for this purpose.
Two entire chapters from the book are inscribed onto Lapis Lazuli. The 26th and 140th chapters. The 140th is carved on the reverse of a Lapis Lazuli eye, outlined and highlighted with gold. The high priest is expected to wear Mat's image (Goddess of Truth) carved from the gem.
Women in Egypt crushed the gem into a powder to wear as eye shadow. Probably something of a health hazard, considering its Aluminum content.
The breast plate of the Hebrew High Priest is also adorned with Lapis Lazuli. It is one of twelve stones (representing each of the twelve months) prescribed in the old testament. The Assyrian Kings wore a breast amulet decorated with seven stones, Lapis was the fifth.
In the tombs of Sumerian kings near the Euphrates River, over 6000 carvings, beads, dishes and seals made from Lapis Lazuli were discovered. Roman soldiers sharpened their swords on the stone believing it would make them invisible. Catherine the Great lined the walls of one of her palaces with the gem.
During the middle ages, artists used Lapis Lazuli powder as the pigment for a rich blue paint called ultramarine. It was used to adorn holy paintings of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the saints and angels. Consistently reinforcing the gem's divine connection.
Lapis Lazuli is recognized across many early shamanic traditions as a home for the gods and goddesses. Possessing the gem, also meant that you possessed the favors and blessings of the deities.
Today you can still use your Lapis Lazuli to reinforce your divine connections. Use it to see deep into the Universal All. Allow your heart to discover the truth among the stars, and finally understand with complete knowing how everything comes from the same bright stardust. All comes from that starlit sparkle and the connection is unbreakable.
You will find the dark blues of this gem to be one of the most powerful psychic tools you can utilize. If you are going to work with Lapis Lazuli as a psychic companion, it is important that you take time to get to know your gem. Spend time with it daily for a week or two before engaging it completely. Make sure you know each other well, and you will be greatly rewarded for your patience. Always approach with love and respect when working with this divine relation, especially in the psychic realms.
If you are in need of the Truth, Lapis Lazuli has a reputation for seeking it out. But, be aware. Once you start working with this crystal, it will no longer allow you to hide the truth from yourself. It seeks out all truths. It will also work with you toward healing and facilitating the growth and strength that comes with knowing the truth.
Looking for a little extra inspiration in making your dreams come true? Adding Lapis Lazuli to your craft will provide an extra fire and charge to manifesting your intentions. Pyrite is a Fire stone that motivates, inspires and energizes. Set against the midnight blues in Lapis it makes a perfect tool for working dreams into every day life.
Friends and lovers may wish to exchange Lapis Lazuli gems. It is said to promote loyalty and deepen bonds.
Healers have used this blue crystal to reduce fevers since the Middle Ages. It was once prescribed for quartern fever (a recurring fever that returned very few days). Greeks physicians used it as an antidote for snake bites.
If you suffer from asthma or other breathing issues, wearing the gem between your heart and your throat may bring some relief. Meditating with Lapis Lazuli may help in lowering blood pressure. It is also very helpful in boosting self healing visualizations. The gem helps to release anger, especially repressed anger that may cause physical harm.
This information was taken from ORE Features, a publication written by Stephanie Pflumm, reprinted with permission.
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