| ign="center"> | | | | may or may not be macroscopically discernible. |
| Lapis is a beautiful royal blue stone often | | | | The lapis lazuli widely considered to be of highest |
| associated with royalty. The name lapis comes | | | | quality contains relatively small, rather evenly |
| from the Latin word for stone and lazuli is from | | | | distributed pyrite grains and relatively small |
| the Persian name for the place where the stone | | | | percentages of or no calcite. Some lapis lazuli |
| is mined. When the two words are combined, it | | | | appears roughly color-laminated in different shades |
| means "stone of azure". In bead form, lapis lazuli is | | | | of blue. The golden pyrite inclusions give the stone |
| available in many shapes and sizes. Lapis lazuli | | | | a starry appearance. Lapis lazuli is is found in |
| spindles, drums, tubes, briolettes and round beads | | | | rather large deposits, but at few locations. The |
| are readily available a reasonable prices. Round | | | | primary historical mining site was in Northern |
| stones have been used for centuries in prized | | | | Afghanistan, and remains so to this day. |
| rosary beads. Beads for craftwork are often | | | | Secondary deposits in Siberia, Canada, and Chile |
| purchased in strings. Lapis lazuli strings in spindle | | | | supplement the supply, but with generally lower |
| shape can be less than 1 US dollar (USD) per | | | | grade material. |
| bead. Larger beads, like large faceted tubes, may | | | | Lapis lazuli is the 7th and 9th wedding anniversary |
| be around 3 USD per bead. A number of internet | | | | gemstone. Egyptians used lapis lazuli for cosmetics |
| sites offer discounts on large purchases, and gem | | | | and painting. It is believed as a sacred stone and |
| fairs are also a good source for finding strings of | | | | was buried with the dead in order to protect the |
| lapis. It was formerly made into vases and bowls | | | | dead ones and guide them in life after death. |
| and has been used from ancient times for beads | | | | Interestingly enough, Christians, Egyptians and |
| and small ornaments. It was also extensively used | | | | ancient Sumerians all associated this stone with |
| in mosaics and was the | | | | motherhood. To Christians, the stone is associated |
| âsapphireâ of the ancients. Lapis | | | | with the Virgin Mary and Jesus. In Egypt, with Isis |
| Lazuli is particular popular in todayâs silver | | | | and her child Horus. Hindus believe Lapis Jewelry |
| jewelry. | | | | strung on gold wire and worn by children will |
| Lapis lazuli has and continues to have applications | | | | protect them from all manners of evils, even |
| outside the world of jewelry. Lapis is always used | | | | night frights. Christian legend says God's throne is |
| for inlays, insets and intarsia. In addition to | | | | composed of Lapis, that the 5th stone of Aaron's |
| jewelry, this gemstone is used in the manufacture | | | | breastplate was Lapis. Some believe that lapis can |
| of radiant blue water colors, tempera or oil-paints | | | | help expand the wearer's viewpoint as well as |
| by grinding it in to powder and mixing with binding | | | | increasing awareness and spiritual love and |
| agents. Lapis lazuli is one of the gemstones that | | | | evolvement. Some spiritualists believe that lapis |
| used in commesso, also called florentine mosaic. | | | | lazuli will help to cut through superficialities to |
| Commesso is a technique of fashioning pictures | | | | aquire truth and wisdom. Some people think lapis |
| with thin, cut-to-shape pieces of brightly colored, | | | | can bring about harmony in relationships and |
| semiprecious stones, developed in Florence in the | | | | enhance love and fidelity within a marriage. Some |
| late 16th century. The stones most commonly | | | | think lapis will build self-confidence and |
| used are agates, quartzes, chalcedonies, jaspers, | | | | self-awareness and allow the wearer to be open |
| granites, porphyries, petrified woods, and lapis | | | | and truthful. Intuitive sources say that Lapis can |
| lazuli. Commesso pictures used mainly for | | | | assist in the opening of the third eye and the |
| tabletops and small wall panels, ranging from | | | | attainment of wisdom. It is associated with the |
| emblematic and floral subjects to landscapes. | | | | 'royal' virtues of courage, insight, strength, clarity |
| Lapis Lazuli is unlike most gemstones in that is not | | | | and compassion, and with their attainment. |
| a pure mineral. Most lapis lazuli comprises a | | | | Report this article |
| crystalline aggregate made up largely of blue | | | | This article is free for republishing |
| lazurite (a mineral of the sodalite group), plus | | | | Source: |
| noteworthy amounts of macroscopic white calcite | | | | Republish this article |
| and pyrite grains. Some lapis lazuli contains one or | | | | |
| more of the other minerals of the sodalite group | | | | Ask a Question About this Article |
| -- hauyne, nosean, and sodalite per se -- along | | | | >> Is Massachusetts considered a red |
| with or in lieu of the lazurite. In addition, some lapis | | | | state? |
| lazuli also contains minor amounts of phlogopite | | | | >> can I find the Large size Judith Ripka |
| mica, diopside, amphibole, mica, etc., each of which | | | | "Evil Eye" enhancer? |