Lapis Lazuli
Aluminum and sodium sulfured silicate.
Lapis Lazuli is a blue rock containing several different minerals – lazurite, sodalite, hauyne, calcite and pyrite. The intense royal blue color has mixed with textures of pyrite and white calcite. The grainy structure make it look velvety, and the pyrite inclusions look like “stars”. It is expensive mineral, and the stones with good intense blue color are very valuable. The best quality specimens are from Afghanistan (Kokcha River Valley), also deposits are found in Russia, Chile, Argentina, USA, Canada and Italy.
Lapis Lazuli was prized since antiquity. Have been used for jewelry making, talismans, ritual and decorative objects. In Europe it was used as the main pigment for ultramarine paints. The grounded Lapis lazuli was used by Michelangelo to produce the intense blue color for his art pictures. Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians believed that the spirit of god lived within the stone. The mask of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamen was made with Lapis lazuli and gold. It was loved in ancient Persia and associated with the starry night. In the Islamic Orient was used as a talisman for protection from the evil eye. Lapis lazuli has been associated with strength and courage in many different cultures.
It is believed that Lapis lazuli expand awareness of spiritual truth. Promotes natural gifts and skills, and creative expression.
It is “feel better” stone.
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