Lapis lazuli or lazurio is considered a rock, not a mineral. The word lazurio is derived from the Persian word «Lazward» (= blue). The word Lapis means stone and lazuli comes from the Arabic «Azul» which means blue. Theophrastus mentions it as “Sapphire” and “Cyan”. The Egyptians used Lapis for making seals, ground it for an eyelid cosmetic and often carved it into vases and figurines. Chinese called it the stone of ‘heaven’. It combines various minerals, mostly lazurite, but also contains calcite (white), sodalite (blue) and pyrite (fools’ gold, a metallic yellow) and to be considered a mineral it would have only one component. Its color is a strong blue, sometimes with a hint of violet, with the presence of white patches (calcite) that decreases lapis lazuli’s value, while small veins of pyrite are often prized. Lapis is a 5.5 on Mohs scale of hardness. Top quality lapis lazuli comes from Afghanistan where is has been mined for more than 7000 years, but is also found in Siberia, Chile, the U.S., Pakistan, and Canada.

Lapis Lazuli according to tradition, brings optimism, longevity and serenity. It creates a sense of strength, vitality and vigor. It relaxes the nerves and brings good nights rest. It protects against the “evil eye”. It boosts the immune system, purifies blood, lowers blood pressure, cooling and soothing areas of inflammation. It alleviates insomnia and vertigo, and overcomes depression. Lapis Lazuli benefits the respiratory and nervous systems and the throat, vocal chords, and thyroid, cleanses organs, bone marrow and thymus.

Zodiac: Libra, Sagittarius, Pisces.