lapis lazuli Series-Lapis Lazuli is a gemstone compared to stars in the sky.

Stone's names: Lapis Lazuli, Lazurite.

Color: Lapis Lazuli occurs in various shades of blue with some qualities being speckled with white calcite and some with yellow pyrite. The finest Lapis Lazuli is even blue color with little or no veining from other elements.

Description: Lapis lazuli is a semiprecious stone valued for its deep blue color. The source of the pigment ultramarine, Lapis lazuli is not a mineral but a rock colored by lazurite. In addition to the sodalite minerals in lapis lazuli, small amounts of white calcite and of pyrite crystals are usually present.
Because lapis is a rock of varying composition, its physical properties are variable.

Lapis Lazuli Healing Properties
The most prized Lapis Lazuli is royal blue, though it ranges in color from very dark navy blue to sky blue to green, with characteristic glittering golden specks. Sometimes called sapphire in ancient Egyptian references. The name comes from the Latin lapis which means stone and Persian lajuward also meaning stone. It is also known as Lazurite.

Mystical Properties: Lapis was a very important gemstone in ancient Babylonia and Egypt, the deep blue color was often associated with royalty and deity.
Interestingly enough, Christians, Egyptians and ancient Sumerians all associated this stone with motherhood. To Christians, the stone is associated with the Virgin Mary and Jesus. In Egypt, with Isis and her child Horus.
Hindus believe Lapis strung on gold wire and worn by children will protect them from all manners of evils, even night frights.
Christian legend says God's throne is composed of Lapis, that the 5th stone of Aaron's breastplate was Lapis.
Egyptians called the stone chesbet commonly fashioning scarabs from Lapis. The Chief Justice of ancient Egypt wore a Lapis amulet carved with the Goddess Mat (Goddess of Truth).
Thought to give wisdom and fairness to its wearer and increase spiritual love.
Lapis is associated with the 6th Chakra, or 3rd Eye. It is considered an important gemstone in subduing an overactive 6th Chakra. Thought to stimulate creativity.
Catherine The Great of Russia, had all the walls in a ballroom decorated in solid Lapis Lazuli.
Ancient Sumerians are said to believe that carrying a piece of Lapis, meant carrying a piece of the Gods.
Crushed lapis used to comprise the ancient and very valuable pigment ultramarine.
Healing Properties: Most commonly thought to bring peace and soothe depression.
Scientific Properties: Composed of Lazurite (Sodium Calcium Aluminum Sulfate Silicate) with various other minerals, such as pyrite.
Distinguished from Sodalite by its richer navy color and its invariable association with Pyrite, whereas Lazulite and Sodalite (often would-be imitators) are not associated with pyrite.
The most famous locale is in Badakshan, Afghanistan, which has been mined for over 6000 years. Other locales include Russia and Colorado in the U.S. Hardness: 5.0 - 5.5 on the Moh's Hardness Scale
Buyer Beware! True Lapis Lazuli is relatively rare and expensive--but also highly prized. So it has become one of the most faked stones of all. Firstly, a lower grade of Lapis is very frequently dyed to enhance the navy blue color. Lapis, unfortunately, does not take dye well and will easily rub off with some water and elbow grease. Fake Lapis may also be created by dying Howlite, a white stone that takes dye well. We have frequently seen Sodalite or Dumortierite sold as Lapis, however, these stones will never display the sparkling golden flecks that identify true Lapis Lazuli. The best Lapis in the world comes from Afghanistan, though as many US Military will attest--it is also frequently dyed and sold as a higher grade stone.

Deposits: The main supplies of Lapis Lazuli are found in the Afghanistan, Egypt, Canada, Chile, the US, and South America. The most important sources are the mines in Badakhshan, northeastern Afghanistan, and near Ovalle, Chile, where gemstone is usually pale rather than deep blue.

Afghanistan Deposits: For the last 5000 years Lapis is being mined out from Badakhshan. Color is Berlin Blue ( Madan-e-char) to light blue ( Madan-e-Panch).