Lapis Lazuli

Lapis lazuli is a deep blue stone flecked with gold, and it may be the oldest gemstone that is still prized today. It has been mined in one region of Afghanistan for thousands of years, and it was carried across the ancient world to be worked into jewellery, inlay and paint.

What it is

Lapis lazuli is a rock, not a single mineral. Its blue comes from lazurite, a sodium calcium aluminium silicate containing sulphur, and it usually contains white calcite and flecks of golden pyrite. The hardness is around 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, so it is softer than quartz and needs care. The finest stone is a uniform deep blue with only small flecks of pyrite and little white calcite.

The historic source is the Sar-i Sang valley in Badakhshan, northeastern Afghanistan. Lapis is also found in Chile, Russia near Lake Baikal, and a few other places, though the Afghan stone has long been regarded as the finest.

History and culture

Lapis lazuli was valued by the Sumerians, and objects made from it were found in the royal graves of Ur, dating to the third millennium BCE. The ancient Egyptians used it for beads, scarabs and inlay, and the funerary mask of Tutankhamun includes lapis lazuli inlay in the stripes of the headcloth and around the eyes. Both cultures imported the stone over great distances, which makes it an early example of long-distance trade.

The name comes from the Latin lapis, stone, and the Persian and Arabic lazhward, which refers to the place and colour. In the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, lapis was ground and purified to make a pigment called ultramarine, meaning “beyond the sea”, because it came to Europe from across the Mediterranean. It was so costly that painters often reserved it for the robes of the Virgin Mary and other important figures. A synthetic ultramarine was developed in the 1820s, which made the colour cheap.

Lapis lazuli is a September stone on the traditional United Kingdom list, alongside sapphire. See the September birthstone page.

What crystal traditions associate with it

In many crystal traditions, lapis lazuli is associated with wisdom, truth and inner vision, linked with the throat and third eye in the chakra system. Its deep colour and its use in royal and sacred objects in the ancient world are often cited as reasons. In some zodiac stone lists it is linked with Sagittarius, though sources vary. These are symbolic associations.

How people use it

Lapis beads are worn as necklaces and bracelets, and cabochons are set in rings and pendants. Carved animals, boxes and small sculptures are common, and a polished palm stone is popular in meditation practice. Some artists still grind small amounts for pigment, though the genuine pigment is now a specialist product.

Care and safety

• Lapis is relatively soft and porous. Avoid soaking it, and never leave it in water for long.
• Keep it away from acids, including some cleaners, and from perfume, hairspray and cosmetics, which can dull the surface.
• Clean with a soft, slightly damp cloth and dry it.
• Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and heat.
• Do not swallow stones or place them in drinks.

Dyed and imitation stones

Lapis is often dyed, and imitations include dyed jasper sold as “Swiss lapis” and glass with gold-coloured flecks. Some stones are sealed with wax or plastic. If the white areas are unnaturally blue, or the colour comes off on a damp cloth, the stone has probably been dyed.

Sourcing

The Afghan mines have been in a region of long-running conflict, and reports have linked parts of the trade to armed groups and to the financing of conflict, as well as to dangerous working conditions. If provenance matters, ask how the stone was obtained and whether the seller can trace it.

A note on health. Crystals are valued for beauty, meaning and ritual. There is no scientific evidence that they treat health conditions. If you are struggling with your health or mood, please speak to a doctor.

Frequently asked questions