Lapis Lazuli: The Celestial Stone

Lapis Lazuli’s captivating blue colour has adorned jewellery, works of art and sacred objects across many cultures. Let’s discover the geological formation, historical significance and mystical properties of this astonishing crystal.

Lapis Lazuli: Table of contents

• Geological Formation of Lapis Lazuli
• Rough Lapis Lazuli – Raw Beauty Revealed
• Sources – The Worldwide Scope of Lapis Lazuli
• Historical Significance of Lapis Lazuli – Through the Ages
• Metaphysical Properties of Lapis Lazuli – Illuminating energies
• Varieties of Lapis Lazuli
• Lapis Lazuli Colors
• Durability and Wearability of Lapis Lazuli
• Lapis Lazuli Enhancements – Preserving Natural Beauty
• Synthetic Lapis Lazuli – La Nature en Laboratoire
• Imitations of Lapis Lazuli – Discerning the Authentic
• Caring for Lapis Lazuli – Preserving natural beauty

Geological Formation of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli, a metamorphic rock composed mainly of lazurite, pyrite and calcite, is formed through intense geological processes. Derived from limestone and other metamorphic rocks, this captivating blue gem acquires its characteristic inclusions of golden pyrite and white calcite, creating a striking contrast that adds to its visual appeal.

Rough Lapis Lazuli – Raw Beauty Revealed

The beauty of Lapis Lazuli is often found in its raw, uncut state, showcasing nature’s creativity in the formation of each crystal. Like many polycrystalline materials, Lapis Lazuli has no specific crystalline form and is made up of many small crystals that contribute to its unique appearance.

Sources – The Worldwide Scope of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is mined in various regions around the world, with major deposits in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Each location contributes to the variations in colour and characteristics of this gem, making Lapis Lazuli a stone of global importance.

Historical Significance of Lapis Lazuli – Through the Ages

Lapis Lazuli has a rich historical significance that spans millennia, making it one of the most revered gems in human history. This bewitching blue stone has been cherished by many cultures for its celestial beauty and profound symbolism.

Mesopotamia:

One of the earliest mentions of Lapis Lazuli comes from ancient Mesopotamia, where it was used to create jewellery, amulets and decorative objects.

The Sumerians and Babylonians:

The Sumerians and Babylonians valued Lapis Lazuli for its association with the heavens and considered it to possess divine properties. They used it in religious ceremonies and regarded it as a symbol of power and royalty.

Ancient Egypt:

In ancient Egypt, Lapis Lazuli was highly prized and associated with the sky goddess Nut. The deep blue colour of the stone was reminiscent of the night sky, symbolising the infinity of the cosmos. Lapis Lazuli was used to create beads, scarabs and amulets, often buried with the deceased to provide protection and guidance in the afterlife.

The famous gold mask of King Tutankhamun is inlaid with Lapis Lazuli, underlining his royal importance.

Lapis Lazuli also played a crucial role in the art and culture of ancient civilisations along the Silk Road. It was traded over vast distances, linking East and West.

In Central Asia:

In Central Asia, Lapis Lazuli was carved into intricate ornaments and used as a talisman against evil spirits. The famous blue tiles on the Ishtar Gate in ancient Babylon were made from Lapis Lazuli.

The Renaissance:

During the Renaissance, Lapis Lazuli was a gem prized by artists, particularly for creating the ultramarine blue pigment. The colour derived from grinding Lapis Lazuli was highly sought-after but expensive, reserved for the most refined works of art, notably those by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.

This intense blue pigment symbolised wealth, power and the divine, and its use in paintings enhanced the status of the work of art.

Metaphysical Properties of Lapis Lazuli – Illuminating energies

Lapis Lazuli is revered for its metaphysical properties, which promote spiritual growth, inner wisdom and self-knowledge. It is thought to enhance intuition and stimulate the mind, encouraging exploration of higher truths.

Lapis Lazuli is also considered a stone of protection, shielding against negative energies while promoting clarity and self-expression.

Varieties of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli, with its distinctive inclusions and variations in colour, offers a captivating range of hues, but no variety as such.

Lapis Lazuli Colors

Lapis Lazuli enchants with its rich shades of blue that evoke the celestial immensity of the night sky. Ranging from deep royal blue to violet and greenish blue, each shade of Lapis Lazuli has its own captivating appeal, making it a precious gem for jewellery and decorative art.

Durability and Wearability of Lapis Lazuli

With a hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, Lapis Lazuli is a relatively soft gem. It requires special care to preserve its timeless beauty and protect it from scratches and abrasions. Despite its moderate hardness, Lapis Lazuli remains a highly prized gem for jewellery and artistic creations.

Lapis Lazuli Enhancements – Preserving Natural Beauty

Lapis Lazuli, prized for its haunting blue colour and historical significance, is generally appreciated in its natural state without any treatment or enhancement.

However, in the gemstone industry, certain practices have been used to enhance its appearance or create specific effects.

Let’s explore some of the enhancements associated with Lapis Lazuli :

Polishing :

The main treatment applied to Lapis Lazuli consists of polishing the raw stone to enhance its brilliance and reveal its bewitching blue colour. Polishing brings out the characteristic inclusions of golden pyrite, also known as “fool’s gold”, adding to the stone’s appeal.

Waxing or oiling :

From time to time, Lapis Lazuli can be treated with wax or oil to improve its shine and softness. This treatment can help fill slight surface imperfections and improve the gem’s overall appearance. However, waxing or oiling is considered a temporary improvement, and the effects may fade over time.

Stabilisation :

Some Lapis Lazuli specimens, particularly those of inferior quality or softer structure, may undergo stabilisation to improve their durability. Stabilization involves impregnating the gemstone with a transparent resin or other substances to strengthen it and prevent damage. This treatment can also improve the saturation of stone colors.

Dye :

Dyeing Lapis Lazuli is not common practice, but it has been observed on the market. Dyeing involves the use of artificial coloring agents to modify or enhance the color of the gemstone. Dyed Lapis Lazuli can have more intense or artificial blue hues, and it is essential that sellers disclose any treatments to maintain transparency and ensure informed buying decisions.

Reconstituted Lapis Lazuli :

In some cases, small chips, fragments or dust of Lapis Lazuli are combined with a binding agent to create a composite material called “reconstituted Lapis Lazuli”. This material is then shaped into various objects or jewellery. Reconstituted Lapis Lazuli may not have the same value or durability as natural Lapis Lazuli.

It is essential that gem dealers and sellers disclose any treatments or enhancements that Lapis Lazuli may have undergone. Transparent and ethical practices within the gemstone industry are essential to ensure that buyers have the information they need to make informed decisions and that the value and authenticity of Lapis Lazuli is properly represented.

Synthetic Lapis Lazuli – La Nature en Laboratoire

Unlike some precious stones, artificial Lapis Lazuli is not available on the market. Instead, imitation versions of Lapis Lazuli are usually made from composite materials and resins to mimic the gem’s appearance. It is essential to buy from reputable retailers to guarantee the authenticity of Lapis Lazuli jewellery.

Imitations of Lapis Lazuli – Discerning the Authentic

As a prized gemstone, Lapis Lazuli can occasionally be imitated or misrepresented. Buyers should be wary of sodalite, tinted stones or glass replicas that may be presented as genuine Lapis Lazuli.

Imitation versions of Lapis Lazuli are generally made from composite materials and resins to mimic the appearance of the gem.

It is also possible to find reconstituted Lapis Lazuli, made from chips and dust of real Lapis Lazuli.

It is essential to buy from reputable, certified gem dealers to guarantee the authenticity of the stone.

Caring for Lapis Lazuli – Preserving natural beauty

Caring for Lapis Lazuli jewellery is essential to preserving its timeless beauty.

Avoid exposing Lapis Lazuli to harsh chemicals, sunlight or sudden temperature changes.

Clean the precious stone gently with mild soapy water and a soft brush, ensuring that its brilliance will last for generations to come.

Keep Lapis Lazuli away from other harder materials to avoid scratches.

Lapis Lazuli can be gently oiled at home to improve its surface.