Knowledge
Lapis Lazuli is a semi-translucent to opaque gemstone known for its brilliant blue hue and golden flecks. It is therefore no surprise that this gem has a rich history, having been prized by humans for over 6500 years.
Gemstones
Historic Mines and Uses
The name is derived from the Latin word for stone ‘lapis', with the word ‘lazuli' being the Persian name of the mine they come from. Over time, the word ‘lazuli' has become synonymous with its colour, for example the English word ‘azure' meaning bright blue.
Lapis lazuli has been mined in Afghanistan since the 7th century BC and featured in the jewellery of some of the earliest civilisations. Beads have been discovered at Mehrgarh, a Neolithic site in Pakistan; also at Shahr-e Sukhteh, a Bronze Age site in Iran; the Assyrians and Babylonians were known to have used lapis lazuli in jewellery, as did the Ancient Egyptians. One of the most iconic artefacts of the ancient world features lapis lazuli, the funerary mask of King Tutankhamun, which uses lapis to depict the eye makeup.
£5,350
In the ancient world, lapis was prized to the same extent as other blue gems such as sapphires or turquoise and was transported from its remote mountainous mine location by merchant caravans. Marco Polo referred to the area’s lapis mines in 1271, but few have actually seen them due to their inhospitable location. Remarkably, these mines are still producing lapis today, and are the source of the world’s oldest known commercial gemstones.
Lapis lazuli is also famously known for being ground up as pigment for some of the most celebrated works of art ever created. This pigment, ultramarine, was the most expensive of all blue pigments and was used by Vermeer, Da Vinci and Titian, to name but a few of the Old Masters. It was so expensive a pigment that the colour was often reserved only for the robes of Christ and the Virgin Mary.
In jewellery and objet d’art, lapis lazuli is typically formed into beads, cabochons and colourful inlays and carvings.
Physical Qualities
Lapis lazuli is an opaque rock aggregate composed of several minerals, mainly lazurite, calcite, and pyrite. The chemical makeup is what determines the colour of lapis, with the most favoured royal blue hue caused by lazurite. Although typically characterised by this intense cobalt blue colour, lapis can occur in varying shades.
Lapis Lazuli often displays irregular grains of golden pyrite or veins of white calcite, the host rock surrounding the gem. The most prized form of lapis lazuli has no visible white calcite, although it may have gold-coloured pyrite flecks. If these are small and sprinkled throughout the gem, their presence doesn’t necessarily lower the value. In contrast, an excess of pyrite causes the gem to look dull and green, and white calcite streaks can lessen the value of a stone.
Measuring a 5-6 on the Mohs scale of hardness, lapis is a fairly durable gemstone and combined with its stunning colouration, was a popular choice for vintage jewellers.
Berganza’s collection of this stunning gem is available to view both online and in our showroom. With pieces from renowned jewellery houses, visit today before they’re gone!
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Lapis lazuli is a mineral aggregate typically showcasing a bright blue hue.
Lapis lazuli has a highly saturated blue colour and can sometimes feature white calcite or golden pyrite flecks.
Lapis is thought to symbolise wisdom and truth.
The traditional source of the finest lapis lazuli today remains the mountains of Afghanistan, with other major sources including Chile and Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia. Minor sources are Angola, Canada, Colorado (US), and Pakistan.