Lapis Lazuli Necklaces
Lapis lazuli necklace – the deep blue rock of the pharaohs, wisdom and the third eye
A lapis lazuli necklace is a piece of jewelry with one of the richest histories of any stone – lapis lazuli is a deep blue rock (not a mineral) composed primarily of lazurite (a mineral of the sodalite group), pyrite (golden specks and veins) and calcite (white patches). Its characteristic deep royal blue comes from lazurite; the golden sparkles are pyrite crystals. The primary locality is Sar-e-Sang in Badakhshan Province, Afghanistan, where it has been mined for more than 6,000 years – one of the longest continuously worked gemstone localities in the world. Lapis lazuli was the source of the pigment ultramarine and adorned the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, Sumerian jewelry and Byzantine mosaics. In esoteric tradition it is called "the stone of wisdom, truth and the third eye" , with its primary domain in the third eye (Ajna) and the throat chakra (Vishuddha).
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In our range you will find lapis lazuli necklaces – from beaded models of strung beads with characteristic golden pyrite specks through tumbled chip necklacesto S925 silver necklaces with a lapis lazuli cabochon, where the deep royal blue contrasts with the silver.
• Esoteric properties of a lapis lazuli necklace
In esoteric tradition, lapis lazuli is known as "the stone of wisdom, truth and the third eye". It was revered in ancient Egypt as a sacred stone of the gods – lapis lazuli was called "the stone of heaven" or "heaven on earth". When worn as a necklace, it is traditionally valued for:
- Wisdom and intellectual clarity – its primary energy; lapis lazuli was the stone of sages, philosophers and spiritual teachers
- Truth and authenticity – it helps you recognize and speak the truth
- Activating the third eye – intuition, clairvoyance, spiritual perception
- Communication and self-expression – the throat chakra; authentic expression of thoughts and emotions
- Protection and a spiritual shield – traditionally a protective stone against negative energies
- Connection with higher dimensions – meditation and spiritual work
- Emotional balance – it calms overly stormy emotions
Esoteric tradition describes effects on a spiritual level. Lapis lazuli is not a medicinal product and does not replace medical care.
Lapis lazuli and the chakras
- 6th, third eye (Ajna) – primary; intuition, clairvoyance, wisdom
- 5th, throat chakra (Vishuddha) – secondary; truth, authentic communication
- 7th, crown chakra (Sahasrara) – connection with higher wisdom and spiritual consciousness
• Which zodiac signs it suits
- Sagittarius (23 Nov – 21 Dec) – primary; philosophy, wisdom, the search for truth
- Gemini (22 May – 21 Jun) – communication, intellect, authentic expression
- Virgo (23 Aug – 22 Sep) – an analytical mind, the search for truth, order
- Libra (23 Sep – 23 Oct) – justice, truth, balance
- Scorpio (24 Oct – 22 Nov) – depth, intuition, hidden wisdom
Lapis lazuli in history – 6,000 years of continuous tradition
Lapis lazuli has one of the longest documented traditions of any gemstone:
- Sar-e-Sang, Afghanistan: historically the most important locality; mining has continued for more than 6,000 years; mines in the Kokcha River valley in Badakhshan Province
- Ancient Egypt: lapis lazuli was "the stone of heaven"; Tutankhamun's funerary mask is inlaid with lapis lazuli; it is said that ground lapis was also used as a cosmetic; Eye of Horus amulets made of lapis lazuli
- Sumer and Babylon: lapis lazuli appears in Sumerian tombs from around 3000 BC; the Standard of Ur is decorated with lapis lazuli; the Epic of Gilgamesh mentions lapis lazuli as a precious treasure
- The Renaissance – the pigment ultramarine: lapis lazuli was ground into a pigment called "ultramarine" (literally "beyond the sea", from the Latin ultramarinus). It was the most expensive blue pigment of the Renaissance – at times more expensive than gold. It was reserved for the most sacred subjects in paintings: the mantle of the Virgin Mary in paintings by Giotto, Raphael and other masters
- Mesopotamia and Persia: lapis lazuli was exported along trade routes throughout the ancient world
- China: lapis lazuli was valued as part of the Buddhist tradition
The composition of lapis lazuli and how to judge its quality
Lapis lazuli is a rock – not a pure mineral – and its quality depends on its composition:
- Lazurite – the basic blue mineral ((Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2); the more lazurite, the more intense the blue
- Pyrite – golden specks and veins; in small amounts they are valued as a decorative element; too much lowers the quality
- Calcite – white patches and veins; less = higher quality
- Lapis lazuli vs. sodalite: sodalite looks similar but is a lighter blue without pyrite; lapis lazuli is darker and more intense; sodalite is a cheaper and more affordable alternative
- Quality grades:
- Persian/Afghan grade – the most intense deep blue, a minimum of calcite, golden pyrite specks; the highest price
- Chilean grade – a slightly violet tinge; more calcite; more affordable
- Russian grade – the Baikal locality; lighter and paler
Types of lapis lazuli necklaces in our range
- Beaded lapis lazuli necklaces – strung beads; deep blue with characteristic golden pyrite specks and white calcite patches; each bead unique
- Tumbled chip necklaces – irregular natural fragments; natural texture and color
- S925 silver necklaces with a lapis lazuli cabochon – a cabochon in genuine silver; royal deep blue contrasting with silver; an elegant design
- S925 lapis lazuli pendants – various shapes; arch, drop or an organic shape
Who lapis lazuli necklaces are suitable for
- Those seeking wisdom and intellectual clarity – the primary intention
- Lovers of ancient cultures and the aesthetics of the pharaohs
- Those seeking to activate the third eye and intuition
- Those practicing meditation and spiritual work
- Philosophers, teachers and scholars – a traditional stone of wisdom
- Lovers of the deep blue aesthetic – a royal color
- Unisex – deep royal blue suits women and men
Caring for lapis lazuli necklaces
- Hardness 5–6 Mohs – moderately soft; protect it from scratches by harder materials
- • Careful with water: lapis lazuli is porous; prolonged contact with water can cause fading or damage
- Cleaning: a soft dry or slightly damp cloth; dry immediately
- Sun: prolonged direct sunlight can cause the blue color to fade
- Take it off before: showering, bathing, swimming, the sauna and sport
- Energy cleansing: sage smudging or a selenite plate; or moonlight
- Charging: moonlight; or brief morning sunlight
- Protect from: chemicals, perfumes, hairspray and acids
- Storage: in a soft pouch, separately from harder stones
• Frequently asked questions about lapis lazuli necklaces
Lapis lazuli is a deep blue rock (not a pure mineral) made up of three main components: lazurite ((Na,Ca)8(AlSiO4)6(SO4,S,Cl)2) as the primary blue mineral, pyrite as golden specks and veins, and calcite as white patches and veins. The main and historically most important locality is Sar-e-Sang in Badakhshan Province in Afghanistan, where it has been mined continuously for more than 6,000 years. The more lazurite and the less calcite, the higher the quality. Golden pyrite specks in small amounts are valued as a decorative element and a natural mark of authenticity. Alternative localities are Chile, Russia (Baikal) and Myanmar. Lapis lazuli was the only source of the pigment "ultramarine" – the purest and most intense blue that existed before the industrial production of synthetic pigments. The name comes from the Latin "ultramarinus" (beyond the sea – because it was imported from Afghanistan across the sea); the word "lazuli" goes back to the Persian "lazhward". In the Renaissance, the pigment was reserved for the most sacred subjects in paintings and was so expensive that artists had to use it sparingly, often only for the mantle of the Virgin Mary. Giotto, Raphael, Titian and other Renaissance masters treated ultramarine as their most precious color. Synthetic ultramarine was only developed in the 1820s (Jean-Baptiste Guimet in France), after which the price fell dramatically. Until then, ultramarine made from lapis lazuli was comparable in price to gold – or more expensive. In esoteric tradition, lapis lazuli is "the stone of wisdom, truth and the third eye" – it works primarily on the third eye (Ajna) for intuition and spiritual wisdom, and secondarily on the throat chakra (Vishuddha) for authentic communication and truth. It is considered the stone of sages, philosophers and spiritual teachers. It is traditionally credited with: wisdom and intellectual clarity, the ability to recognize and speak the truth, activating the third eye and intuition, protection against negative energies, and connection with higher dimensions. Lapis lazuli is not a medicinal product and does not replace medical care. Genuine lapis lazuli differs from sodalite in the presence of golden pyrite specks or veins and in the intensity of its color – lapis lazuli is darker and a richer blue, while sodalite is lighter and without pyrite. White calcite patches can be present in both, but greyish-white streaks are typical of sodalite. Imitations (dyed howlite, dyed glass, synthetic lapis) have no natural pyrite specks or have too uniform a color. A practical test: run your finger over it – genuine lapis lazuli feels cool and slightly textured; glass is smooth and warmer. Very cheap "lapis lazuli" is almost certainly an imitation – genuine lapis lazuli has a price that reflects its rarity and the quality of its mining. Lapis lazuli is traditionally recommended primarily for Sagittarius (23 Nov – 21 Dec) because of their natural desire for philosophy, wisdom and the search for truth – qualities that lapis lazuli esoterically embodies and strengthens. Gemini will appreciate its communication and intellectual clarity, Virgo its analytical mind and search for truth, Libra its justice and balance, Scorpio its depth and hidden wisdom. Lapis lazuli suits anyone seeking wisdom, authentic communication or activation of the third eye – regardless of sign. With a hardness of 5–6 Mohs, lapis lazuli is moderately soft and porous – prolonged contact with water or direct sunlight can cause its intense blue color to fade. Clean it with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth and dry it immediately. Take it off before bathing, showering, swimming and sport. Cleanse it energetically by smudging with sage or on a selenite plate. Charge it in moonlight. Protect it from chemicals, perfumes and acids. Store it in a soft pouch separately from harder stones, in a dark place.What is lapis lazuli and what is it made of?+
Why was lapis lazuli more expensive than gold in the Renaissance?+
What are the esoteric properties of lapis lazuli?+
How can I tell genuine lapis lazuli from sodalite or an imitation?+
Which zodiac signs is lapis lazuli suitable for?+
How do I care for a lapis lazuli necklace?+
For more lapis lazuli jewelry we recommend lapis lazuli bracelets, the lapis lazuli category, raw lapis lazuli, tumbled lapis lazuli, lapis lazuli pyramids or lapis lazuli pendants. For visually similar blue stones: sodalite necklaces or aquamarine necklaces. For third eye stones: amethyst necklaces or labradorite necklaces. For stones of wisdom and communication: larimar necklaces or kyanite necklaces. For more esoteric jewelry: gemstone jewelry or chakra necklaces.
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