Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a blue stone that is often used in jewelry and other decorative items. The stone has been mined for over 6,000 years and was highly prized by the ancient Egyptians. This beautiful blue stone is also known as “the gem of heaven” or “the stone of heaven.” It’s a mix of minerals including sodium aluminum silicate, sulfur, chlorine, hydroxyl and inclusions of Pyrite and White Calcite.

Its crystal system being isometric, Lapis Lazuli’s Mohs hardness is 5 to 6. Called “Lapis Lazuli” since the Middle Ages, this stone’s more “modern” name is derived from the Latin words for “blue stone” and the ancient Persian word “lazhuward,” also meaning “blue.” The best quality Lapis Lazuli can be found in Afghanistan. It can also be found in Chile and Russia, however stones found in these regions lack the same level of quality.

As far back as 3100 B.C., ancient Egyptians sculpted this stone into scarabs, beads, pendants and much more. It was also used as a medicine and even cosmetics such as eye shadow! Remember when King Tut’s tomb was discovered? His golden sarcophagus was inlaid with Lapis Lazuli. A popular treasure stone in China and the European Renaissance, this blue stone has been carved into many art objects and even found as main furniture pieces in palaces.

Lapis lazuli was an important trade good of the ancient Mediterranean world. It used to be one of the most expensive materials for a decorative object, along with its counterpart sapphire, until cheaper and more abundant alternatives became available in Europe from mines in Brazil and Siberia. Lapis lazuli is still used as an ornamental stone.

As with other blue stones such as Kyanite, Chrysocolla, Shattuckite, Sodalite and Larimar, it is also a stone of truth and communication. In the metaphysical community, Lapis Lazuli is used for healing of the Throat Chakra. Lapis Lazuli is also used to help one find happiness by connecting with their own truth, which helps them recognize the truth in others. Lapis lazuli is used to improve the intellect and clear thought, providing a calm and peaceful mind for concentration or meditation. It also has many healing properties including astral protection, spiritual cleansing, calming the emotions and easing anger.

Lapis Lazuli is one of the most commonly-used stones to activate psychic abilities and past-life exploration. It is a stone of knowledge and in addition to the Throat Chakra, it also activates the Third Eye Chakra. Lapis Lazuli also helps to bring dreams into reality. Lapis Lazuli is a stone of truth and understanding. It can help you feel more connected to your intuition and inner wisdom, so it is good for connecting with higher powers and working with the angels. It's also a good stone for journeying to past lives, since it activates the Throat Chakra.

It enhances your ability to use visualization to gain more insight and information into your reason for existence. This makes it an excellent meditation stone as it helps you more directly connect to Source Energy.