Moonstone is one of the most popular ornamental gemstones, which is of no surprise, due to its beautiful delicate display of color often peering through a thin veil of soft gray or pure white.  Some specimens are bolder in color, with a rainbow of color popping forth from a solid background of black or rich sea blue.  Whatever is your fancy, you can find a moonstone to love.

If you would like to read about the history and metaphysical benefits, both physical and spiritual, here is a preface to the world of moonstone and what this lovely, captivating stone can do for you.  First, learn about the types of moonstone, as there are several different color varieties.

Types of Moonstone

Over the centuries, many different colored moonstones have been unearthed.  The most common and abundant is the pearly white moonstone with speckles of color.  Others are gray moonstone, peach moonstone, blue moonstone, black moonstone and rainbow moonstone.  The variations are stunning with some of the more rare highest sought after pieces being of the blue and black varieties. 

Moonstone and its Modern History

In modern times, moonstone was especially popularized during the Art Nouveau period (late 1800’s to early 1900’s).  Many of that time periods’ jewelers and metal-smiths adored the stone and used it regularly in jewelry designs.  Immediately the stone became widespread and popular, and has since won the jewelry trade over with both designers and patrons alike. 

Today, moonstone is found in large quantities and mined in the United States, Mexico, Madagascar, Norway, Burma, Poland, India, Sri Lanka and Australia.  It remains a market dominating gemstone. 

Metaphysical History of Moonstone

Moonstone got its name long ago by ancient civilizations.  The common name is so perfect, it has stayed throughout time.  In the most common and popular moonstones, it appears as though the moon is showing behind a thin veil of clouds.  It was believed, especially in early Greece and Rome, that moonstone was literally solidified moon beams.  The ancient deities associated with the moon were all represented by moonstone.

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Applications

·      Moonstone is considered a feminine stone, as it is related to the moon.  Most moonstone jewelry pieces you see available are for women.  However, there is an increase in jewelry pieces for men that feature a moonstone, as its’ qualities are for everyone.

·      Moonstone is used most often with the crown chakra, the body’s 7th energy center located above the brow and third eye chakra.  It is the energy center that connects us to the Universe and Deity.

·      Moonstone is also used to help clear all energy centers, one of the only minerals used in this way.  It is said to rid the energy centers of any negativity and to provide balance.

·      The different colored moonstones are associated with slightly different uses.  White moonstone is used during the full moon and is said to heighten psychic awareness and magnify the emotions.  Gray moonstone represents the new moon and is used for the same as white moonstone.  Peach colored moonstone is a soothing stone that can be used to aide with anxiety, especially with children who are very emotionally sensitive.  Blue moonstone has extra calming properties, as all blue gemstones do.  Rainbow moonstone is perhaps the most powerful of the moonstones to connect with the crown chakra.

·      It is also known as the traveler’s stone.  It is said to offer protection while traveling, particularly by water.  For example, if you wear a strand of moonstone beads around your neck, that strand is an amulet said to aid in safe travels. 

Physical and Health Benefits of Moonstone

·      Moonstone is specifically physically used to help with the brain.  It is a powerful stone used to treat mental clarity and to also help with insomnia and other sleep disorders. 

Other Interesting Notes and What Makes that Wonderful Display of Color Answered

·      Perhaps one of the most interesting notes of moonstone is that we are still finding new varied specimens.  For example, the blue or rainbow moonstone of Sri Lanka is recent find from only 15 to 20 years ago.  The whole feldspar group is interesting in this way due to its diversity and the mix of calcium to sodium ratios.  Other feldspars include labradorite and sunstone.

·      The wonderful glow that moonstone gives off is due to light bouncing back and forth (diffraction) through its lamellar inner crystal structure.  It is similar to labradorescence (the schiller effect in labradorite); however, it is slightly different and is termed aduralescence. 

·      Moonstone is the birthstone for the month of June and for the zodiac sign of Libra.  Giving a jewelry piece set with moonstone to a Libra or to someone with a birthday in June is said to bring luck and protection to that person.  This concept holds true for any birthstone given as a gift.

·      It is also the state gemstone for Florida.  Moonstone was named the state gemstone in 1970 since all space flights were solely launched at The Kennedy Space Center in Florida at the time.  More specifically, moonstone was selected as a symbol to represent the first landing on the moon. 

·      The chemical composition of moonstone is calcium sodium aluminum silicate, and it is actually more correctly termed as orthoclase or adularia.  The minerals orthoclase and adularia are almost identical, and they are both plagioclase feldspars. They are not well known outside of those who collect and are interested in minerals for their geology.  However, in their ornamental forms, they very much are. Two other examples of plagioclase feldspar are sunstone and labradorite.  The geology in explaining the feldspar minerals, such as moonstone, is fascinating, and you are encouraged to learn more if this sort of thing sparks your interest.

In summary, moonstone is truly a magical, captivating stone.  It reminds us of the mesmerizing moon, and therefore, has appealed to humanity since it was first found so long ago.  Enjoy your moonstone(s), little captured bundle of moon beams, and be safe in your travels.

 *The overall western medical community does not recognize the benefits of gemstones.  Please do not replace the listed uses with your health practitioner’s recommendations.  

Labradorite is an instant favorite for just about anyone interested in jewelry, artisan sculptures or collecting raw specimens from the earth.  The iridescent colors that pop forth from this otherwise dark, non-eye-catching stone are gorgeous.  Visually, it is similar to moonstone, a more well-known mineral.  However, think of a rainbow display from a dark rock instead of a rainbow display from a light rock.  If you can do that in your head, you have labradorite. 

If you already have a labradorite piece or perhaps you just discovered a gorgeous pendant or strand of beads and you learned it was labradorite, read on to get to know a little more about this interesting and unique mineral.  Learn about the origin and the spiritual and metaphysical benefits of labradorite.

Labradorite and its Interesting History

Labradorite is recognized and mostly credited as being discovered by Moravian missionaries in 1770.  While working with the Inuit and Innu, the missionaries discovered this unique mineral and named it after its discovery site, the Labrador Peninsula in Canada.  However, the indigenous people of the area had been admiring and using labradorite for centuries.  In 1771, labradorite was introduced to England and France where it was immediately cut and polished for jewelry.

Metaphysical History of Labradorite

As stated, labradorite was used by the indigenous Inuit and Innu peoples of Canada.  Stories on the stones' origins were passed down from generation to generation.  One story talks of an extraterrestrial being who saw stars within the earth. This being, therefore, came to earth to release the stars (labradorite) back into the sky by pounding on them and breaking up the rock beds.  The shards flew back up into the night sky.

Labradorite is connected to the stars, which due to its display of iridescent color is not surprising. Fragments were left on earth.  To this day, labradorite is one of the most connected stones to the Universe metaphysically and spiritually.

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Applications

·      Labradorite is said to be a calming stone that may help reduce stress as well as help connect us and open our psychic abilities.  It is considered as one of the sobriety stones.

·      It is physically used on the sacral, throat and crown body energy points, which are the 2nd, 5th and 7th chakra points respectively.

·      It’s most popular use is most likely with the crown chakra (7th).  It is considered as a bridge where one may connect with his or her higher self, especially in meditation. 

·      It’s a very positive stone where the wearer can feel safe and secure from negativity energies, as it is said that labradorite can take a negative energy, thought or feeling and replace it to its corresponding positive energy.

·      Especially while working with the crown chakra, labradorite is also said to help with imagination and creativity.  It is a stone of inspiration.

Physical and Health Benefits of Labradorite

·      Labradorite may aid the human body in several ways.  Wearing labradorite is said to aid in digestion and help women with the physical ailments of menstruation (which relates to the sacral chakra). 

·      Again, it is said to be a calming stone, aiding in and repelling negative stresses, such as anxiety or depression by turning these feelings into calmness and happiness.

·      It is also said to help bring clarity to the mind by focusing thoughts.

Other Interesting Facets about Labradorite and What Makes that Wonderful Flash

·      The chemical composition of labradorite is calcium sodium aluminum silicate ((Ca,Na)Al1-2Si3-2O8 ).

·      Labradorite is one of the plagioclase feldspar minerals, meaning that it is rich in sodium and calcium and that the sodium and calcium atoms can substitute with each other within the molecular crystal framework.  There are several other components that define plagioclase feldspar.  Another notable one is that the crystals are twinned (run parallel to each other), as is the case with labradorite.  Feldspar is derived from the German words feld and spath.  Together, they translate to a rock that does not contain ore.  Another ornamental feldspar you may know is sunstone.

·      Most labradorite still comes from Labrador, Canada.  However, notable occurrences are found within Madagascar, Australia, Mexico, the U.S., Russia and Finland.  The specimens from Finland are mostly called “spectrolite.”  You may be familiar with the term spectrolite.  It is a branded name given to labradorite to increase the minerals value.  Spectrolite is defined as having, not only the blue and green flashes, but also the yellow and orange flashes within the same specimen.  While other specimens do this from around the world, technically only those found in Finland can be properly called spectrolite. 

·      The first time one sees labradorite flash is magical.  I imagine the awe those first Moravian missionaries must have felt upon glancing over and seeing labradorite for the first time in the sun on the peninsula.  The beauty and iridescent color display is unlike any other and is unique to labradorite.  It can be visually comparable to what you experience when looking at other chatoyant minerals (cat’s eye or tiger-eye for example).  However, the process is unique to labradorite and is called labradorescence.   This is possibly one of the most exciting aspects of labradorite.

·      Simply described, labradorescence occurs when light gets trapped between layers of lamellar crystals.  The light bounces back and forth between the layers.  The wavelengths that escape are different than those that go in as the light is bent.  It makes for one gorgeous display of color.

I hope you find labradorite as one beautiful, interesting mineral.  It is a truly unique mineral, and we all can benefit from its aesthetic beauty. 

The overall western medical community does not recognize the benefits of gemstones.  Please do not replace the listed uses with your health practitioner’s recommendations.  

The beautiful sea blue to bluish-green coloring of aquamarine is alluring, and therefore, this delicate pretty blue gemstone is a treasured choice for many.  Most of us, if not all, are attracted to the sea.  The blues and teals of aquamarine bring us just a little closer and connect us to the sea and even the sky. 

Aquamarine is technically a beryl with an interesting gemology.  It has been loved and treasured since ancient times and has been and still is used both ornamentally and metaphysically.  The following represents a comprehensive introduction to the world of aquamarine.  If you already have a crystal, ring or strand of beads, enjoy learning and reading about your new treasure.

Etymology and Notable Occurrences of Aquamarine Today

• The etymology is simple and originally comes from two Latin words, aqua and marinus.  Together, they mean water of the sea.  

• Today, aquamarine is found and quarried in several notable localities in the USA, Brazil, Columbia, Zambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Malawi.  

• The highest gemstone qualities come from perhaps Brazil where both the largest uncut crystal specimen and largest faceted stone come from.  Both are huge!  The uncut aquamarine weighed nearly 243 pounds and measured 19 x 17inches.  The faceted stone (an obelisk) weighs 10,363 carats (nearly 5pounds) and measures 14 inches tall, and it is on display at the Smithsonian, Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  It is a beauty!  I’ve seen it, and it is stunning (along with the rest of that amazing gem hall at the museum!  It is absolutely the best and is not surpassed.)

• If you live in the US and know of local mines near you where people are allowed to go and give it a try, ask about aquamarine.  Aquamarine is actually one of the easier stones to find, as it is prevalent in gem quality and non-gem specimen quality.  Finding your own aquamarine stones would surely be a day of fun.
  

Aquamarine and Its Long History

• As with most stones, the first found or written discovery of aquamarine is unknown.  It is a very ancient well-liked, celebrated stone, as amulets of aquamarine have been found and dated back to as early as 500 BC.
• Perhaps because of its ease to cut, lovely alluring color and wide prevalence, aquamarine has a diverse history surrounded by lore and use.
• Ancient Egypt and Samaria treasured aquamarine for its color and believed it was a stone that brought happiness and protection to its wearer.  It symbolized eternal youth and was highly valued. 
• During the middle ages, the value of aquamarine remained and was considered the best of divining stones.  Crystal spheres for scrying carved from aquamarine were more prized than those of quartz.  It was believed that the aquamarine spheres and bowls were the most powerful in divining. 
• The very first stone pendulums were made at this time as well, and aquamarine was the superior choice.  Due to its long history and association with scrying and divining, even today, it is used by some to help locate lost items by using a sphere, bowl (with water) or pendulum cut from aquamarine. 
• In ancient Rome, aquamarine was used for the same benefits but also was used for anything ranging from battles and legal disputes to uses in love and happiness.  In battles, if aquamarine was worn as an amulet or ring, it was believed the wearer was invincible.  It protected those out at sea.  It was said to bring romance back into the lives of long married couples.  Aquamarine was a cure all.  If you think about it, this makes sense.  Simply holding and marveling at an aquamarine stone brings all sorts of positive thoughts and feelings. Try it!
• It was also even used in the early Christian church as an association with St. Thomas due to its likeness to sea and air. 

Today’s Metaphysical Benefits of Aquamarine

Today, aquamarine is still used by many metaphysically, just the same as it has been used throughout its rich history.  Now, let’s further examine the metaphysical benefits of aquamarine to apply it to today’s emotional, mental, physical and spiritual uses and beliefs.

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Benefits

• Aquamarine is one of the calming, sobriety stones, and therefore, is widely used in meditation.  It is said to enhance mental and emotional calmness, tranquility and clarity.
• It is associated with the body’s 5th energy center, the throat chakra.  Therefore, it aids in communication and is used to help with ease of expression and promote truth.
• Aquamarine is also a stone of courage, most probably relating to the days when warriors wore the stone to bring about invincibility. 
• As with its earliest history, aquamarine is still used for scrying and divining. It is easy to look into, similar to gazing in a pool of water.  Gazing into aquamarine is said to be the same, where the surface is similar to a mirror and reflects back divining images and/or reflections of the soul or deep conscience.  It is for this reason that it symbolizes and is associated with the spiritual water element.

Physical Benefits of Aquamarine

• Lying down quietly with an aquamarine stone placed gently on the throat is said to promote physical health of the throat area. 
• A tincture or tonic as well as an elixir of its vibrational essence can be made to ease a sore throat, swollen glands, thyroid problem or any other area with close proximity to and associated with the throat.  The actual stone should not be directly put into the water.  Instead, the stones vibrational frequency is captured through alchemical means and placed into the water.  (It’s physics really.  There is more to this than one might think!)

Other Interesting Notes and Tidbits about Aquamarine

• The chemical composition of aquamarine is beryllium aluminum silicate, that is Be3Al2(SiO3)6  (-for those of you who love the periodic table of elements.)  You can see from its chemical composition that it is actually a beryl.  Aquamarine has the same composition as emerald, morganite and a few lesser known others.  It is the blue variety of beryl. 
  

• Aquamarine is colored blue due to the concentration of iron impurities found within its molecular structure.  Much like iron in quartz makes amethyst, iron in beryl makes aquamarine.  The color can range from light to deep blue depending on the iron ions within the crystal.  It should be noted that it can be heat treated or irradiated to acquire a wanted color.  For example, if a light blue aquamarine is properly heat treated, it can result to the more sought after darker blue.  
  

• We cannot come to the end of the article and not know what birthstone aquamarine corresponds to. So, know that aquamarine is for Scorpios and those who celebrate their birthday in March.  It is also recommended as the 19th year wedding anniversary gemstone gift.  
  

Aquamarine has offered so much through thousands of years and continues to intrigue us.  The history and use is vast, more so than most gemstones.  You are encouraged to read and learn as much as you can about this lovely stone.  Enjoy yours if you have one, or have fun picking an aquamarine out for your own. 


The overall western medical community does not recognize the benefits of gemstones.  Please do not replace the listed uses with your health practitioner’s recommendations.  

Maybe you just brought home a small animal statue carved from onyx and you are curious about the material used.  Is it possible that you have a necklace of onyx beads and are searching online to find out about its benefits metaphysically?

Whatever brought you here, you’ve come to the right place for a comprehensive listing of what onyx can do for you along with some of its interesting geology and history.

Onyx is one of the most Common Gemstones of Today and Antiquity

Onyx is spread worldwide and is found in abundance.  It has a large range of appealing colors and patterns.  It is a material that is easy to work with in terms of shaping it into useful items, such as bowls, and decorative pieces like statues and spheres. Due to its versatility in appearance and abundance, it has been and still is one of the more common gemstones in jewelry.

Today, onyx is heavily mined in the United States, Brazil, Uruguay and India.  It is also mined to a lesser extent in Madagascar and Mexico.  However, most small animal statuettes labeled as “Mexican onyx” are actually carved from calcite, which is a much softer mineral, and therefore easier to carve with.  The same goes for carved chess pieces.

Onyx and its Versatile History

• The word onyx has kept its original Greek spelling and originally meant “claw or fingernail,” from Greek mythology.  It was believed that Eros (Cupid) cut Venus’ fingernails while she was sleeping and left the nail clippings scattered on the ground.  Venus’ nail clippings were then turned into stone by the Gods since no part of a heavenly body is allowed to die.  So, her clippings were preserved.  At first this may seem odd to you, however, one of the most common varieties of onyx is pinkish-salmon in color with slight banding, reminiscent of a nail.
  
• In Arabic, onyx is called “el jaza” which translates to “sadness.”  This notion was rooted in China where slaves were used to mine the gemstone.
  
• The early alchemists acknowledged the Arabic notion that onyx relates to sadness, but they didn’t feel that sadness came from the stone itself.  It came from the mind of the one who touched the stone.  Early alchemists used onyx in formulating recipes for lowering one’s sex drive.  (I suppose that’s sad.)
  

The Metaphysical Benefits of Onyx

There are many metaphysical benefits of onyx, operating on all three planes of existence: The Physical Realm, The Spiritual Realm, and The Mental Realm (Please note that there are other metaphysical planes that are dependent on different metaphysical philosophies and teachings.  The three listed are three common metaphysical planes.)

Mental and Spiritual Properties of Onyx

• Onyx is most often associated with absorbing or repelling negative energy, whichever is needed to best suit its owner.  For example, if you keep a polished gemstone in your pocket, it will help absorb negative emotional thoughts from you, and it will also repel the negative thoughts of others.  Energy from within and energy from external sources is kept positive.  The best colored onyx gemstone for this is black onyx.  Most stones that help with negativity are those that are black in color.
  
• The red colored banded onyx, commonly called sardonyx, is associated with the root chakra, the 1st of seven energy centers aligned centrally along the body.  Sardonyx is used at the base of the spine to unblock and give balance to energy involving matters of basic survival needs and basic acceptance needs of others.
  
• Because of the vast color varieties of onyx coupled with its quartz chemical structure, there is a form of onyx that can be used nearly for all of the seven chakras.  That is one versatile stone!
  

Physical Healing Benefits of Onyx

• Onyx, as with most gemstones, aides in metaphysical healing.  It is used to help with the physical pains of childbirth, most likely due to its association with the goddess Venus.
  
• It can be worn by athletes to help with overall physical pain and helps to raise endurance.

• Onyx is one of the most holistically used gemstones in healing surface wounds and giving added strength to bone structure.

• There are other reported uses of onyx as a healing stone.  Please know this is a sampling.
  

Interesting Religious Facets

• It is said that black onyx will protect its wearer from the evil eye of envy.  The evil-eye is one of the most misunderstood symbols of today.  Because of word association, it is incorrectly understood as evil when in fact, the opposite is true.  It is a positive symbol of protection against others who would like to covet what you have even by utilizing ill methods.
  

• The onyx gemstone occurs in the 4th row of the priestly plate, a sacred breastplate worn by the high priests of the Israelites.  Reference to the priestly plate is found in the Book of Exodus.
  

Geology and Other Interesting Notes

• Onyx is a mineral composed of silicon dioxide.  It is one of the quartzes, specifically a cryptocrystalline chalcedony quartz containing impurities within the submicroscopic crystal structure.  The impurities are other minerals in small concentrations that produce the wide array of colors found in onyx.  (Note. Since the other mineral impurities are minute, onyx is classified as a mineral and not a rock.)
• Onyx is similar to agate or jasper, two other quartzes.  You can tell the difference between the three by looking for the following:  Agate and Jasper both have an irregular pattern.  The pattern of onyx is banded.  Also, agate is heavily translucent, meaning you can see into the stone.  Jasper is opaque.  Onyx can be both translucent and opaque.  With onyx, you are specifically looking for the banded pattern.
• Several onyx gemstones in the jewelry and gem trades look uniform in color, and the banding is not seen easily with the naked eye.  Common seemingly uniform onyx stones of the black, green, and white varieties.
• As a specimen collector, one should be weary of finding a specimen labeled “turquoise” or “white turquoise.”  White onyx can be dyed to look like turquoise.  Technically, there is no such thing as “white turquoise.” 

With its many colors and abundance, you see that the onyx gemstone has a versatile history and wide range of use, both historically and to the present.  As previously stated, this represents only a small sampling.  Hopefully, however, you find the information both comprehensive and useful.

Perhaps you are learning about shamanism and light-working and are beginning your work with the chakras.  Maybe you are holding your new strand of lapis lazuli beads and thought you would look up their history.  Maybe you are an artist, and you would like to know more about the pigment ultramarine or how to make your own. 

Whatever the reason you landed here, keep reading to learn more about lapis lazuli.  It is a very versatile mineral-composite rock and has a rich history and wealth of uses: metaphysically, spiritually, artistically, and so much more.  It’s one cool rock!

Lapis Lazuli is one of the Oldest & Most Sought after Rocks

It is no wonder as to why lapis lazuli is so loved.  You can’t beat that gorgeous saturated blue color!    The occurrence of lapis lazuli (sometimes simply shortened to “lapis”) was first intensively mined over 6,000 years ago in northeastern Afghanistan where it is still mined today.  This mining operation is still the largest locality for large deposits of lapis lazuli.  That’s a lot of lapis!  Later, it was discovered in large deposits in Russia and Chile and smaller deposits in the United States, Canada, Italy and Mongolia.  The demand for lapis lazuli has generated large mining operations in all of these countries.

Lapis Lazuli and its Intriguing History

·      Lapis lazuli has kept its ancient Middle Ages etymology and literally translates to “stone of azure,” coming from the Latin word lapis, meaning “stone” and the Latin word lazuli, meaning just that, “lazuli.”  Lazuli comes from the earlier Arabic word lazuward, and means “azure.” 

·      Now, close your eyes and picture a bust of an Egyptian pharaoh.  Do you see it?  Yes! Blue and gold.  Lapis lazuli was a top precious stone reserved for Egyptian royalty.  The well-known sarcophagus of King Tutankhamun was heavily inlaid with lapis lazuli.  It was also the stone that was inlaid as his eyebrows for his funeral mask.  Other burial materials for royalty were made of gold and lapis too. 

·      Lapis lazuli is also referred to numerous times in the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Today’s Metaphysical Benefits of Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli has a very calming color and can benefit us mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. 

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Applications

·      Lapis lazuli is a calming stone, as many of the blue colored rocks and minerals are. It is most frequently utilized for various benefits in inducing serenity and clarity.

·      It symbolizes and is physically used on the 5th body energy point, the throat chakra. Placing a small lapis lazuli gemstone on your throat during meditation or wearing a strand of beads around your neck throughout the day unblocks the 5th chakra energy center and aides in helping better self-expression. It works in opening communication to a more positive light.  It benefits us by allowing us to share and communicate with others with words that are kinder, more polite, and all truthful.

·      Lapis lazuli is also used with the 6th chakra, the third-eye chakra.  It is said to open your third-eye and work as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds.  It is, therefore, one of the more common stones used to unlock memories and recall past lives. 

·      It is also used as a healing gemstone that helps us work through our emotions and positively assists in times of depression, anxiousness and general protection of overall mental health.

Physical Benefits of Lapis Lazuli

·      Lapis lazuli promotes restful and peaceful sleep.  Try putting a piece under your pillow at night. 

·      Because of its affiliation with the throat chakra and communication, it can help physically heal the respiratory system or any other systems and organs related to communication and the throat.

·      Lapis lazuli can help with speech impediments and clarity of voice.

·      As with most safe-to-use rocks and minerals, gem tinctures and elixirs have been made by placing a small piece of lapis in a bottle and combining with alcohol (or spring water in the case of gemstones) as a means to extract the lapis lazuli essence from the stone into the liquid over time.  

Religious and More Esoteric Interesting Notes

·      In new age religions, lapis lazuli is one of the gemstones connected to the water element, and therefore, exhibits an overall symbol of emotion and communication.

·      The most famous paintings you have seen of the Virgin Mary in Christianity are those where Mary is clothed in blue and white.  The blue colored cloth was made from a pigment ground from lapis lazuli and intentionally worn by the artists’ models for the paintings, again showing its relation to royalty.  The Virgin Mary is viewed and esteemed for her innocence, purity, and gentle mothering (communication with child).

Other Interesting Facets 

 ·      Lapis lazuli is a rock.  It is not a mineral.  Minerals have a uniform chemical composition throughout their structural matrix.  Rocks are aggregates of minerals.  Lapis lazuli is composed mostly of the minerals lazurite, sodalite, calcite and pyrite.  Other minerals can be present, just in lower concentrations.  The primary mineral component is lazurite.  Lazurite, sodalite, and another mineral, azurite, are often confusing to differentiate by the novice collector. 

·      Especially for beads and cabochons, some lapis lazuli is ground down and then reconstituted.  One way, although not a guarantee every time, to differentiate between reconstituted lapis and authentic untouched rock is to look for pyrite flecks in the grain of the rock.

·      Lapis lazuli is the traditional gemstone to give as a wedding gift during the 7th and 9th year anniversaries.

·      The pigment, ultramarine, is made from lapis lazuli.  The rock is crushed, micronized as much as possible, and then oil is added, producing the ultramarine paint.  Using a mortar and pestle,  lapis lazuli is ground into a fine powder, linseed oil is added and mixed well and that's it!

·      Lapis lazuli ranges from intense vivid sea blue to slightly greenish-blue to sometimes purplish-blue.  The coloring is dependent on the overall mineral composition of the rock.  The lighter colored lapis lazuli that has a slight washed-out look is called “denim lapis” in the gem and jewelry trades.

With its rich history and so many interesting points and benefits, whole books for each topic could easily be dedicated to lapis lazuli.  Use this article as introductory guide, and please feel free to bookmark this page and share it with your friends.

•   The overall western medical community does not recognize the benefits of gemstones.  Please do not replace the listed uses with your health practitioner’s recommendations.