Learn more about the unique Lapis Lazuli gemstone

Lapis lazuli is one of the most beautiful gemstones characterized by its rich blue color. Its value has been known for thousands of years. The jewel contains visible gold particles, which are usually associated with the heavens and dieties.

It is extremely valuable thanks to its health benefits as well as soothing and spiritual values. The stone helps to calm down and is a perfect source of energy required for self-development and spiritual development. It is widely used in jewelry making. Learn more about its history.

History of Lapis Lazuli

The stone was mainly excavated in Afganistan and then transferred to the Mediterranean regions as well as South Asia, settlements in northern Mesopotamia (4th millennium BC) and in the Shahr-e Sukhteh area of southeastern Iran (3rd millennium BC). There were several objects made of this stone found in the Ancient Royal Tombs such as decorative daggers, amulets, ritual bowls, beads as well as a few different ornaments and sculptures. Lapis lazuli was used by Akkadians, Assyrians, and Babylonians in ancient Mesopotamia for the production of seals and various jewelry pieces. In the Mesopotamian poem Epic of Gilgamesh (17th – 18th century BC) – one of the oldest literature pieces known to the modern world- several notes about this stone can be found.

What is more interesting, the stone was one of the most popular stones used to create amulets and ornaments such as scarabs in Ancient Egypt. Jewelry with lapis lazuli was found during excavations in the region of Naqada (3300-3100 BC). Lapis lazuli jewelry found in Mycenae indicates relations between the ancient Mycenaeans and the developed civilizations of Egypt. In early Christian beliefs, Lapis Lazuli was a stone dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Lapis lazuli was usually mistaken for sapphire. Even though the stone has no relation to the real sapphire, it is proclaimed a type of sapphire nowadays. There are many references to sapphires in the context of lapis lazuli in the Old Testament. One of them can be found in the Book of Exodus 24:10: “and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky.” In the Latin version of the bible, lapis lazuli is called “Lapidus Sapphiri”. The modern translations of the bible stick to the name lapis lazuli instead of sapphire.