Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock rather than a single mineral. Its intense colour comes from lazurite, a blue silicate mineral, mixed with white calcite and specks of gold-coloured pyrite. The finest lapis is a rich, even, deep royal blue with only a few fine flecks of pyrite; stones with more white calcite are paler and less valuable.

The name combines the Latin "lapis" (stone) with the Medieval Latin "lazulum", from the Persian "lazhward", meaning blue. This is also the origin of the word "azure". Lapis has been mined in the mountains of Badakhshan in north-east Afghanistan for more than 6,000 years, and the Sar-i Sang mines there are still the most important source of the finest material. Other sources include Chile, Russia (near Lake Baikal), Pakistan, Tajikistan and the USA.

Lapis was one of the most treasured gems of the ancient world. It was used in the royal tombs of Ur in Mesopotamia and in the jewellery of ancient Egypt, including the funeral mask of Tutankhamun. Ground into a powder, it made ultramarine, the most expensive pigment of the Renaissance, often reserved for the robes of the Virgin Mary in paintings, until a synthetic version was invented in the 1820s.

Lapis is often waxed or oiled to improve its polish, and lower-grade material is commonly dyed to deepen its colour. Imitations include dyed jasper (sold as "Swiss lapis"), dyed howlite and magnesite, sodalite (which has white veins but rarely shows pyrite), synthetic "Gilson" lapis, glass and plastic. A dyed stone may leave blue colour on a cotton bud dipped in acetone.

Lapis Lazuli at a glance

Caring for lapis lazuli

Lapis lazuli is relatively soft (5 – 5.5 on the Mohs scale) and can scratch and chip. Clean it with a soft cloth and mild, lukewarm soapy water, then dry it straight away. Do not soak it, and never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Avoid acids, perfume, cosmetics and cleaning products, which can dull the surface or remove dye or wax. Avoid high heat. Store separately from harder gems in a soft pouch.

In folklore

The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.

In ancient Egypt lapis was a symbol of the heavens and of royalty; it was worn by pharaohs, carved into scarabs and ground into eye make-up said to have been used by Cleopatra. The Sumerians believed it contained the spirits of their gods. In medieval Europe it was thought to keep the limbs healthy and free the soul from error, envy and fear. Lapis is associated with the zodiac signs Sagittarius and Libra.

Lapis lazuli is traditionally considered a stone of wisdom, truth and communication. Crystal healing lore holds that it enhances intellectual ability and self-awareness, encourages honest self-expression and helps relieve stress, bringing deep peace. It is linked to the throat and third eye chakras.

Related stones

Lazurite, sodalite, hauyne, azurite and denim lapis (a paler, mottled lapis). Stones that can look similar include sodalite, azurite, dumortierite, blue dyed howlite or magnesite, "Swiss lapis" (dyed jasper), Gilson synthetic lapis and blue glass with gold flecks.

For the technically minded

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