Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a beautiful semiprecious gemstone known for its rich blue color with little sparkles that look like gold. This special stone has been loved for a very long time, used in making art and jewelry. A famous writer Pliny from ancient Rome said it looked like a piece of the night sky filled with stars.

Where Lapis Lazuli comes from?

Some people think Lapis Lazuli comes from Egypt, but it actually comes from Afghanistan. Badakshan in Afghanistan is one of the oldest mines of lapis lazuli. It produces the world’s finest variety of this stone in large crystals. The name "Lapis Lazuli" combines Latin and Arabic words. "Lapis" means "stone" in Latin, and "lazaward" in Arabic and Persian also refers to the stone. The part "lazuli" suggests "sky" or "heaven," making it known as a stone that looks like it comes from the sky.

What is Lapis Lazuli made of?

Lapis Lazuli is not made of just one mineral but several, including lazurite, which gives it the blue color. Its formula is Na8(Al6Si6O24)S2, which means it has sodium, aluminum, silicon, and sulfur in it. It belongs to the silicates group. It's a tectosilicate, meaning its structure is made up of silicon and oxygen in a specific 3D arrangement. The gold sparkles come from tiny bits of pyrite and calcite in the stone. 

How hard is Lapis Lazuli?

On the Mohs scale from 1-10, which measures how easy it is to scratch, it scores a 5-6. This means it's quite durable but not as hard as some other gemstones.

How light passes through Lapis Lazuli?

Its refractive index is 1.5. This number helps us understand how light bends when it passes through the gemstone, affecting how it looks to us.

What are the special meanings connected to Lapis Lazuli?

Lapiz Lazuli is a special blue stone believed to have a strong connection to the sky. It's great for people born under the zodiac signs of Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Libra, bringing them good luck.

This stone helps clear away negative thoughts and boosts how well someone does in tasks. It is linked to wisdom and calmness and guards against bad energies. Lapis Lazuli has a calming effect, helping to reduce stress and make you feel at peace. Some people also believe it has health benefits, like helping to lower blood pressure, improve sleep, and lessen feelings of depression.