The Prized Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a prized semi-precious stone sic ancient times. It has it its name derived from the Latin word ‘lapis’, meaning stone, and from the Arabic word ‘azul’ which means blue. It is essentially a metamorphic rock with a bright blue hue and is composed of various minerals like lazurite, pyrite, calcite and sodalite. The best quality of this semi-precious stone has a potent dark blue shade with small portions of white calcite as well as metallic pyrite.

This intense and dark blue semi-precious stone is a bit soft, with a hardness of just 5.5 on the Moh’s scale. Its luster is vitreous going to oily and its crystal structures could vary depending on its mineral composition.

This gemstone has a lot of holistic benefits one of which would be the enhancement of the connection of the mind, body and soul to the higher spiritual being of an individual. It is also believed to have the ability of lessening anxiety, which results in the ultimate mind and body relaxation. It is also known to change the negative to turn positive, darkness to light, which is why it is also called the “night stone”.

In folklore, Romans from ancient times regard believe it to be a strong aphrodisiac. During the Middle Ages, this stone was used for ensuring good health for the legs and the arms. They also believed that it has the power to remove fear, error and envy from a person’s soul.

Deep-colored Lapis Lazuli can be mined in Afghanistan and the lighter ones can be mined in Russia, the US and Chile.

Lapis Lazuli can take on an excellent polish. It could be made into jewelry, boxes, mosaics, vases, carvings and other ornaments. In architecture, this stone has been used in the cladding of columns and walls of churches and palaces.

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Cubic Pyrite at the Tucson Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show 2008

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