Lapis Lazuli
Name
The name lapis lazuli is composed of the two Latin terms "lapis" (stone) and "lazulum" (blue), which means "blue stone".
Colour
The colour of a high-quality lapis lazuli is dark blue to violet blue and has a balanced color distribution with small gold-colored pyrite spots that make the gem sparkle.
Cut
The lapis lazuli usually has a cabochon or pearl cut, as the effect shows particularly good.
Power
The lapis lazuli is said to have an antispasmodic effect and to relieve headaches. It is also considered a stone of love and friendship and is a valuable support to strengthen the self-confidence. It also gives more ingenuity and better spatial thinking.
Mineral group
The lapis lazuli consists of many different minerals, the main mineral is lasurite, other minerals included are calcite, diopside and augite. Because of its different components, the gemstone is also classified as a rock, a mixture of different minerals.
Locations
The most important lapis lazuli locations are in the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan. Other sites are located in Chile, China, Canada, India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia and the USA.
Mohs scale
The lapis lazuli has hardness 5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale.
The scale consists of a series of 10 minerals, each of which "scratches" all standing in front of him.
1 + 2 are scratched with the bare fingernail
1 - 5 are ritz bar with the knife
6 - 10 are bar with glass ritz
Care
The best way to care for the lapis lazuli with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. To increase the color intensity of natural, untreated lapis lazuli, you can oil and grow the stones. A nice side effect here is that it makes the stones shine.
Combination
The lapis lazuli can best be combined with an elegant gold tone, which supports the pyrite spots in the radiance and sparkle.