Blue lazurite with contrasting minerals
Lapis lazuli is a rock whose deep blue appearance is associated with lazurite. White calcite areas and gold-colored pyrite flecks may also be visible. The distribution of those features varies across pieces. A broader polished surface can emphasize one blue area, while a strand repeats smaller combinations of color and pattern.
Physical Characteristics
Lapis Lazuli is a deep blue semi-precious stone with gold flecks of pyrite, giving it a unique and captivating appearance. The stone is often veined with white calcite, adding to its natural beauty. Lapis Lazuli is a metamorphic rock that forms in crystalline limestone, and its intense color is due to the presence of the mineral lazurite.
What are the physical characteristics of lapis lazuli?
Lapis lazuli is a deep blue metamorphic rock with flecks of pyrite and calcite. It is often polished to a smooth surface and used in jewelry and ornamental objects.
How is lapis lazuli used in artistic applications?
Lapis lazuli has been used as a pigment for painting and as a decorative stone in sculptures, mosaics, and architectural elements. Its vibrant blue color has made it a popular choice for artists throughout history.
Personal symbolism
In contemporary crystal symbolism, lapis lazuli is associated with wisdom and expression. These are personal or cultural associations. Someone may choose a piece as a reminder of those values, without expecting the material to produce a physical or emotional effect.
Before choosing a piece
Read the stated material, dimensions and construction of the actual item. Keep the care directions for its setting, cord or other components as well as the stone. Store finished pieces so that they do not strike one another, and choose a stable location for decorative objects.
