Lapis Lazuli 青金石

Deposit sites: Afghanistan, Chile, Russia, Siberia

Variety/Species: Lapis Lazuli

Hardness: 5-6

Zodiacal sign: Capricorn, Virgo, Pisces, Sagittarius Leo

Color scheme: blue to dark blue.

Gemstone of the month: September, December 9th Wedding Anniversary.

A rich deep royal blue is the trademark of lapis. Mixed and used as adornments for more than 6,000 years in ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was so precious that it was valued on a level equal to gold. In medieval times lapis was ground up and used as pigment to make paints.

The name is derived from a combination of a Latin and an Arabic word meaning blue stone. The ancient Sumerians had a myth (c. 2,600 B.c.) which described the Queen of Heaven as being adorned with lapis.

For its spiritual and healing powers, lapis has been valued as a stimulator of psychic abilities and been associated with power, wisdom, truthfulness: most important, love. You can also wear lapis to aid you to stimulate your inner vision, and enhance your good judgment.