Lapis lazuli belongs to the family of metamorphic silicate rocks. The stone has a very pure color, with a touch of pyrite that is reflected and sparkles in the stone. Lapis lazuli has a long history and its cult is still very much alive in the world of jewelry.
Brief History
Lapis lazuli takes its name from the Latin [lapis [ meaning stone and the Persian “lazhward” meaning “blue”, that is, blue stone. There is also the possibility that the second part of the word comes from the Arabic “Azul”, which also means blue. The history of lapis lazuli dates back thousands of years. Already discovered more than 6,000 years ago, the stone was transported along the silk route to Mesopotamia, where it was used to make ornaments and jewelry.
In ancient times, many civilizations were attracted by the beauty of lapis lazuli, particularly the Egyptians, who used it to make amulets in the shape of a scarab or eye for protection, as well as sculptures and ornaments. The royal family and the very rich adorned their best jewelry with this stone as a symbol of wealth. Finally, for the Egyptians, lapis lazuli symbolized divine strength, power, courage and immortality.
For the Romans, lapis lazuli was ground into powder, mixed with water and used as an aphrodisiac. However, at that time the price of the stone was exorbitant due to transport costs and had come to exceed the price of gold. The Greeks used the stone for jewelry, painting and decorative objects.
During the Middle Ages, the stone was ground to use its pigments to dye fabrics and/or paint.
It was also said to protect the soul and all negative emotions.
Today, the stone is still relatively expensive but is highly prized by jewelers.
Lapis lazuli is also found in works such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling or Johannes Vermeers Girl with a Pearl Earring
- Color: Lapis lazuli is primarily deep blue in color, and varies from medium to dark tones. It often contains flecks of gold or copper pyrite and may also feature streaks or patches of white calcite.
- Transparency: Lapis lazuli is usually opaque, meaning it does not let light through. Its surface can have a shiny or matte finish, depending on how it is cut and polished.
- Hardness: Lapis lazuli is relatively soft with a hardness of 5 to 5.50 on the Mohs scale.
- Origin: Lapis lazuli has been mined for thousands of years in places such as Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, China, and Pakistan.
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