Lapis Lazuli Description

Also called the “Stone of Wisdom”, Lapis Lazuli is a blue and gold, blue and gray, violet or greenish blue stone that has a makeup of several minerals beyond its main composition of lazurite.  Other minerals included could be augite, calcite, diopside enstatite mica, hauynite, hornblende, nosean, sodalite and/or pyrite.  Derived from the Latin words, lapis meaning “stone” and lazulum meaning “sky” or “heaven”, this stone is sensitive to high pressures and temperatures.  Lapis Lazuli can be found in Argentina, the United States, Canada, Angola, Burma, Pakistan with some of the most rich and valuable deposits located in Afghanistan.  In Russia and Chile, some of the deposits include a whitist calcite matrix that are typically less valued by collectors.  

History

Lapis Lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan since around 7000 B.C. during the Neolithic age and transported back to the Mediterranean area and in parts of South Asia.  It was used in during the Bronze age around the 4th millennium and 3rd millennium in Northern Mesopotamia.  It was discovered inlayed in daggers, bowls, beads, amulets and found inlayed on tombs.  

It was one of the most prominent stones in Ancient Egypt.  It was used for amulets, ornaments like scarabs, and jewelry.  According to the Egyptian Book of the Dead, an eye shaped ornament made from Lapis Lazuli inset in gold was considered a magical and powered amulet.  The golden sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen was greatly adorned with inlaid Lapis.  It has been found at excavations of other tombs including the digging site, Naqada and within relief carvings of Thutmose III at the Karnak Temple Complex.  Many prominent women in Egypt used powdered lapis lazuli for eyeshadow, including Queen Cleopatra.

It was also a prominent stone in ancient Sumeria.  Near the Euphrates River at the tomb of Ur, more than 6,000 statuettes of deer, birds, rodent as well as dishes, seals and jewelry were discovered.  One of the oldest known texts, the Epic of Gilgamesh mentions the stone.  In the poem, the Bull of Heaven’s horns were written to be composed of lapis lazuli. 

In the Middle Ages, the stone was used for medical and spiritual purposes.  It was believed the that is kept the arms and legs heathy and released the soul from fear, envy and rage.  During this time, the stone was often called Sapphire although it was known that the actual Sapphire did exist as a different gemstone.  During the Renaissance period, the blues in many paintings and manuscripts came from the Lapis Lazuli stone.

Metaphysical Properties

• Generates Enlightenment

• Enhances the Dream State and Physic Abilities

• Protects Against Physic and Spiritual Attacks

• Brings Harmony to Spiritual, Emotional, Mental and Physical Self

• Alleviates and Lessens Depression

• Reveals True Self and Promotes Self Awareness

• Encourages Self Expression and Strengthens Bonds

• Gives Confidence to Confront the Truth and Accept It

• Dissolves Cruelty, Martyrdom and Suffering

• Reminds Us of Our Inner Strength Prompting Us Not to Be Afraid

Physical Healing

• Help Reduce and Heals Blisters, Cysts and Tumors

• Reduces Varicose Veins

• Pain Reliever

• Benefits the Nervous System

• Helps with Respiratory Function

• Aids in Function of Throat, Larynx and Thyroid

• Purifies and Cleanses Organs, Bones, Thymus and the Immune System

• Lessens Hearing Loss

• Purifies Blood

• Alleviates  Insomnia and Vertigo

• Helps Lowers Blood Pressure

• Sooths Inflammation 

Chakras

• Third Eye

• Throat