Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a gemstone that has captivated civilizations for centuries, continues to gain popularity for its deep celestial blue allure. From ancient artifacts to modern jewelry, the demand for Lapis Lazuli products remains unwavering. Dive into the world of this exquisite stone and discover the various products that celebrate its beauty.

What is Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli is not just a stone but a mesmerizing blend of minerals, primarily lazurite, which grants it its iconic blue hue. Found predominantly in Afghanistan, this gemstone has roots that trace back to ancient civilizations, symbolizing royalty and honor. Its rich history is intertwined with tales of power, love, and spiritual awakening.

Benefits of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli, often referred to as the "stone of truth," has been revered for centuries not only for its stunning beauty but also for its array of beneficial properties. Here are some of the notable benefits of Lapis Lazuli:

• Emotional Healing: Lapis Lazuli is known to release stress and bring about deep inner peace. It promotes harmony in relationships and helps in expressing feelings and emotions.
• Enhances Self-awareness: This gemstone encourages self-awareness, allowing for self-expression without holding back or compromising.
• Promotes Intellectual Abilities: Lapis Lazuli stimulates the desire for knowledge, truth, and understanding. It aids in the process of learning and enhances memory.
• Spiritual Growth: It is considered a spiritual stone that awakens the third eye and enhances intuitive abilities. Lapis Lazuli is also known to help in connecting with the spiritual realm.
• Physical Benefits: On a physical level, Lapis Lazuli is believed to alleviate pain, especially migraines. It benefits the respiratory and nervous systems, helps in reducing inflammation, and boosts the immune system.
• Throat Chakra Activation: Lapis Lazuli is associated with the throat chakra and aids in its activation, facilitating better communication and expression.
• Encourages Honesty: Known as the stone of truth, it encourages honesty in the spoken and written word.
• Protection: Lapis Lazuli is also considered a protective stone that shields the wearer from negative influences.
• Enhances Creativity: The stone stimulates creativity, making it a favorite among artists, writers, and other creatives.
• Fosters Connection: It helps in establishing and strengthening the bond of friendship and brings about harmony in relationships.

We are incorporating Lapis Lazuli, whether as jewelry, in meditation, or as a decorative piece, which can be a way to harness these benefits and introduce a sense of calm and clarity into one's life.

How to Use Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli, with its deep blue hue and golden flecks of pyrite, is not only a visual delight but also a versatile gemstone with various applications. Here's how you can use Lapis Lazuli:

Jewelry:

• Necklaces: Wearing a Lapis Lazuli necklace can help activate the Throat Chakra, aiding in communication and self-expression.
• Bracelets: A bracelet can serve as a constant reminder of the stone's calming and empowering properties.
• Earrings: Lapis Lazuli earrings can help in enhancing your intuitive abilities.
• Rings: Wearing a ring can help you stay connected to the stone's energy throughout the day.

Home Decor:

• Statues: Carved figures or statues made of Lapis Lazuli can be decorative and serve as a focal point for meditation.
• Ornaments: Incorporate Lapis Lazuli ornaments to infuse your space with its calming energy.
• Tiles: Some upscale designs use Lapis Lazuli tiles for a luxurious touch.

Meditative Practices:

• Palm Stones: Holding a Lapis Lazuli palm stone during meditation can enhance your spiritual connection.
• Spheres: A Lapis Lazuli sphere can radiate its energy in all directions, making it a powerful tool for meditation rooms.

Chakra Healing:

• Lapis Lazuli for Throat Chakra: Placing the stone on your throat can help activate and balance the Throat Chakra, promoting better communication and self-expression.
• Third Eye Activation: Placing it on your forehead can stimulate the Third Eye Chakra, enhancing intuition and spiritual awareness.

Crystal Grids:

Incorporate Lapis Lazuli into crystal grids to amplify its energy and combine it with the energies of other stones.

Dream Work:

Placing Lapis Lazuli under your pillow can promote vivid and insightful dreams.

Energy Cleansing:

You can use Lapis Lazuli to cleanse the energy of other crystals by placing them together.

Art and Craft:

Lapis Lazuli has been ground into powder and used as a pigment for paints, known as ultramarine blue. It's also used in various art and craft projects for its vibrant color.

Carry as a Talisman:

Keep a small piece of Lapis Lazuli in your pocket or purse as a talisman to draw protective and calming energies throughout the day.

Tips for Using Lapis Lazuli:

Cleanse your Lapis Lazuli regularly to ensure it's free from accumulated energies. You can do this by smudging, using sound, or placing it under moonlight.

Pair Lapis Lazuli with other complementary stones like rose quartz or clear quartz to amplify its benefits.

Always set an intention for your Lapis Lazuli to guide its energy towards a specific purpose.

Remember, while Lapis Lazuli has various benefits and uses, it's essential to listen to your intuition and use the stone in ways that resonate with you.

How to Tell if Lapis Lazuli is Real?

Genuine Lapis Lazuli is characterized by its intense blue color, often interspersed with golden pyrite flecks. Authenticity checks include observing its texture, composition, and origin. Here are some tips and methods to help you identify genuine Lapis Lazuli:

• Color: Genuine Lapis Lazuli is known for its intense deep blue color. If the stone is a uniform blue without any variations, it might be a sign of a synthetic or dyed stone. Natural Lapis often has inclusions of white calcite and golden pyrite flecks.
• Examine Under Light: When held up to a light, genuine Lapis Lazuli will not be transparent. If the stone has a gel-like shine or if it's transparent, it might be fake.
• Texture and Inclusions: Genuine Lapis Lazuli will have a rough and granular texture when unpolished. Look for inclusions of pyrite (golden flecks) and calcite (white streaks or patches). A complete absence of these might indicate imitation stones, although high-quality Lapis can have minimal inclusions.
• Temperature Test: Lapis Lazuli is a dense stone and will feel cold to the touch, even when exposed to sunlight. Imitation or plastic stones will warm up quickly.
• Streak Test: Rub the stone against a white ceramic tile. Genuine Lapis Lazuli will leave a blue streak, while imitations will leave a different color streak, often black.
• Hardness: Lapis Lazuli is relatively soft, ranking between 5 and 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. If the stone easily scratches glass, it might not be genuine Lapis.
• Price: If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. High-quality Lapis Lazuli can be costly, so extremely cheap stones might be imitations.
• Dye Test: Wipe the stone with a white cloth soaked in acetone or nail polish remover. If the cloth turns blue, the stone might have been dyed.
• Sound Test: Genuine Lapis Lazuli produces a unique sound when tapped, different from glass or plastic imitations.
• Check for Layers: Some fake Lapis Lazuli stones are made by layering. Examine the stone's edges for any signs of layering.
• Ask for Expert Opinion: If in doubt, consult with a gemologist or expert in gemstones. They can provide a professional assessment of the stone's authenticity.

How Much Does Lapis Lazuli Cost?

The cost of Lapis Lazuli varies widely based on several factors. Here's a breakdown of the considerations that influence its price:

• Quality and Color: The most crucial factor in determining the price of Lapis Lazuli is its quality. A deep, intense blue color with minimal white calcite streaks and more golden pyrite flecks is considered top quality and fetches a higher price. Stones that are lighter in color or have more calcite inclusions are generally less expensive.
• Origin: Lapis Lazuli's primary source is Afghanistan, which is known for producing the highest quality stones. Stones from other locations, such as Chile or Russia, might differ in quality and price.
• Size: Larger pieces, especially those suitable for making statement jewelry or decor items, can be more expensive than smaller stones.
• Treatment: Natural, untreated Lapis Lazuli is more valuable than stones that have been dyed or treated in other ways to enhance their color.
• Grade: Lapis Lazuli is often graded based on its appearance and quality:
  • AAA Grade: Deep blue with minimal calcite and visible pyrite. This is the highest quality and is the most expensive.
  • AA Grade: Slightly lighter blue with some calcite.
  • A Grade: It may have more calcite inclusions and less vibrant blue color.
  • Lower Grades: Lighter colors with more calcite and fewer pyrite inclusions.
• Craftsmanship: If the Lapis Lazuli is part of a jewelry piece, the craftsmanship, design, and other materials used (like gold or silver) will also influence the price.

To give a general idea:

Conclusion

Lapis Lazuli is more than a gemstone; it's a symbol of hope, optimism, and empowerment. Its legacy, spanning millennia, testifies to its timeless appeal and profound impact on the human spirit. Embrace the magic of Lapis Lazuli. Add this one-of-a-kind gemstone to your collection, and let its energy-cleansing vibes elevate your spirit. [Explore our Lapis Lazuli collection now!

FAQs about Lapis Lazuli

• What is Lapis Lazuli used for?

  Lapis Lazuli is renowned for its use in jewelry and decorative items due to its striking blue color. Beyond aesthetics, it's valued in metaphysical circles for its ability to promote mental clarity, emotional healing, and spiritual enlightenment. It's often used in meditation and rituals to enhance intuition and psychic abilities.

• Is Lapis Lazuli a natural stone?

  Yes, Lapis Lazuli is a natural stone. It's a metamorphic rock formed by multiple minerals, primarily Lazurite, which gives it its iconic blue color. The stone also naturally contains calcite (white inclusions) and pyrite (golden flecks).

• How can I tell if my Lapis Lazuli is real?

  Genuine Lapis Lazuli has a rich, royal blue color, often with golden pyrite inclusions and sometimes white calcite. It's moderately hard but can be scratched. Fakes might look perfect, lacking the natural inclusions, or could have artificial sparkles. Conducting a streak test (it should leave a blue streak) or consulting a gemologist can help verify authenticity.

• Can Lapis Lazuli be worn by anyone?

  Absolutely, Lapis Lazuli is suitable for everyone to wear. However, astrologically, it's especially beneficial for people born under the signs of Sagittarius and Libra. Its universal properties of truth and enlightenment, along with emotional healing, are beneficial to anyone who wears or uses it.

• Does Lapis Lazuli need to be cleansed?

  Yes, like all gemstones, Lapis Lazuli absorbs energy and should be cleansed regularly. This can be done by running it under lukewarm water, leaving it out under moonlight, or placing it on a selenite plate. Regular cleansing ensures it remains energetically vibrant and effective in its metaphysical properties.