Azure stone, star-studded sky, blue material dotted with gold... We tell you everything or almost everything about Lapis Lazuli.

 Group: Lapis Lazuli
 Hardness: 5 – 6 Mohs*
 Density: 2.38 – 3.00

* The Mohs scale was invented in 1812 by mineralogist Friedrich Mohs to measure the hardness of minerals.

Lapis Lazuli is a stone of variable composition, with a very intense dark blue that can vary depending on the abundance of its main mineral element, Lazurite (a sodium and calcium aluminosilicate rich in sulfur). Its name comes from the Latin Lapis (stone) and the Arabic Azul (blue).

This stone has fascinated people for centuries, and its name has changed many times but always in reference to its azure blue color, like a sky dotted with stars sprinkled with gold. It was introduced to Europe under the name Ultramarinum (ultramarine), referring to its origin 'beyond the seas.'

Lapis Lazuli is an opaque stone with a matte luster, whose value depends on the intensity of its blue color. Indeed, the more it contains veins of white calcite or pyrite flecks, the less valuable it is.

In the past, it was considered a precious stone more prized than gold itself. Although nowadays it is classified as a semi-precious stone, it once held a status equivalent to that of diamonds in modern societies.

Since Antiquity, Lapis Lazuli has mainly been used as a pigment for painters. 
This pigment was, for example, used to create the sky in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. 
The ultramarine blue, a bright azure color, was only dethroned in 1826 when J. B. Guimet developed a low-cost synthesis method.

Natural Lapis Lazuli is expensive; it is often dyed to enhance its color.

It can be reconstituted just like Turquoise, but these will be much less valuable. 

Like all gems, Lapis Lazuli is believed to have spiritual powers.

In lithotherapy, it is a very powerful stone that stimulates creativity and contributes to the elevation of the spirit by calming the mind and improving concentration.

In the Middle Ages, the stone was renowned for its rejuvenating benefits on the body; it was said to help maintain healthy limbs.

It is said to be beneficial on many levels. For example, it is said to help with various vision disorders, its energetic action can help fight certain allergies and also reduce fever....

It is the stone of wisdom which in Egypt was often carved in the shape of a scarab and worked like a precious stone. It is a stone that soothes and rests, psychologically and spiritually; lapis lazuli elevates the soul and stabilizes the mind. 

It is a stone that brings wisdom, self-confidence, intuition, and creative expression.

Lapis Lazuli stones come from several deposits around the world.

 Afghanistan:
The historic Sar-e-Sang deposit, famous historic lapis lazuli mines, are located at about 2,500 m altitude in the Badakhchan province.
 Chile:
The deposit of the Chavin people, known since the 2nd millennium BC, is located at 3600 m altitude not far from the current Argentinian-Chilean border.
 Russia:
Located in Siberia, it was discovered in 1797 during an expedition organized by the Russian Empress Catherine II the Great. The deposit was only discovered in 1851 in the valleys of the Slioudianka, Talaya, and Lazurnaia. It is a low production site as the rock is mainly exploited for cement manufacturing.
 United States:
Of a very intense blue, it has been sporadically exploited since 1939 in the Italian Mountains in Colorado, about 200 km southwest of Denver.
 Canada:
It has long been known to the Eskimos and is located near Lake Harbour on Baffin Island. It has been exploited since 1971 for local crafts.
 Burma:
It islocated in the Dattaw valley, not far from the ruby mines of Mogok.

 Passage of the Gilgamesh epic in 2650 BC.