Lapis Lazuli Stone

Lapis Lazuli is the opaque, vivid blue, light blue, greenish-blue, or violet-blue stone, consisting largely of lazurite but with appreciable amounts of calcite, diopside, and pyrite.

Lazurite is a silicate of sodium calcium and aluminum, with some sulfur. It is a member of the sodalite group.

The name is from the Arabic lazaward, "heaven," which was also applied to sky-blue lapis lazuli. It is dull to greasy and the streak is pale blue. The hardness ranges between 5 and 5-1/2.

It forms in association with pyrite, calcite, and diopside in hornfels of contact metamorphic rocks. The stone is usually veined or spotted.

Its value depends largely upon excellence and uniformity of color and absence of pyrite, although some purchasers prefer lapis with pyrite.

The finest stones come from Badakshan in Afghanistan, and less valuable material has come from Russia and Chile.

Lazurite is a rare mineral in North America, but it does occur on Italian Mt. in the Sawatch Mts. of Colorado; on Ontario Peak in the San Gabriel Mts., Los Angeles Co., and in Cascade Canyon in the San Bernardino Mts., San Bernardino Co., California.

Lapis Lazuli was a favorite stone of the ancient Egyptians. In the past Lazurite has been burned and ground to form the pigment "ultramarine." It was consider an aid to childbirth, and has long been associated with altered states of consciousness and trance work. Lapis is sometimes designated as a birthstone for December, although turquoise is most common.

In Egypt, this is the stone for Royalty only. It gave wisdom and psychic experiences and guided the soul into the afterlife. It is thought to represent truth. It strengthens the mind and body through spiritual awareness. It is the stone of truth and also the stone of mystery.

It will aid in meditation and psychic development, it lifts depression and melancholy and brings success in love. The most important magical aspect of lapis is it's ability to strengthen psychic awareness.

The color is inherently soothing.

It has been used for skin diseases and circulatory problems and against recurrent fevers.

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