Lapis Lazuli

An Introduction to Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is the quintessential semi-precious blue gemstone. It is, in fact, a mixture of 3 different minerals: Lazurite (blue), calcite (white), and pyrite (gold). It has been prized for centuries for its intense hue, receiving its name from a combination of Latin and Persian, meaning “sky blue stone,” or more romantically “stone of heaven.”

Several Romance languages, in fact, take their word for blue (Azul) from the same root. This classic blue hue comes from the sulfur in Lazurite. This component of Lapis Lazuli is actually a member of the Sodalite group, making Lapis a half-relative of the purple hued stone. Interestingly, Sodalite is often confused for lower grade forms of Lapis Lazuli because it also contains patches of white, although without the gold flecks of pyrite.

Lapis Lazuli artifacts date as far back as 7570 BCE. Famously, Cleopatra used Lapis Lazuli, along with Malachite, to create her signature eye shadow effect. We know that Lapis was celebrated both in life and death, as it was believed to help the wearer achieve spiritual enlightenment and, in death, to lead the soul into immortality. It has been found among many tomb treasures, including the funeral mask of Tutankhamun.

Lapis continued to be valued in European culture, being ground into powder to make ultramarine blue, the most expensive of all blue pigments.

On the other side of the globe, the Incans also prized Lapis, using it in their jewelry design. Lapis Lazuli can still be found in the Andes, as well as in Russia and Afghanistan, among other places.

MENTAL

• Aids in self-awareness and self-expression

• Clarifies all thoughts, and reveals deep truths

PHYSICAL

• Supports healthy thyroid and balanced endocrine system

• Helps to alleviate pain, especially migraine headaches

EMOTIONAL

• Brings deep peace with life

• Helps to relieve repressed anger and promote honesty and compassion

SPIRITUAL

• Opens the Third Eye and balances Throat Chakra

• Enhances connection with the Universe

• Brings mind/body/emotions/spirit into balance and alignment

Connect to your Divine Purpose

Lapis Lazuli keeps your eyes pointed towards the heavens. Thoughts of well-being and a sense of connection are the best support for living within your divine purpose!

Tiger Eye lends a beautiful balance between inspiration and grounding, so you can bring that inspiration to life.

Amber helps turn any negative thoughts into positive, giving you faith and hope even on those days where you see more of the struggle than the light at the end of the tunnel.

Affirmation: "I hear the call and I follow in faith. I will live my Divine Purpose!"

Throat and Thyroid Support

Support your throat chakra and thyroid health with these soothing and balancing crystals: Aquamarine, Amazonite, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, and Blue Apatite.

The THROAT CHAKRA governs Expression of one’s self and one’s beliefs, Trust, Honesty, and Loyalty. It also manages health for your throat, jaw, and thyroid.

Affirmation: "My body naturally desires balance. I treat myself with love, care, and respect, and my health improves each day."

Immune System Support

Lapis Lazuli is connected with many physical health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, providing a soothing and cooling effect, benefitting the nervous system and balancing hormones. With this broad spectrum support it makes sense to pair with other major physical body support crystals, such as Amber, Black Tourmaline, Amethyst, and Garnet for overall health and vitality benefits, as well as protection against negative energies.

Affirmation: "My body naturally desires balance. I treat myself with love, care, and respect, and my health improves each day!"