Lapis lazuli is a stone of the sodalite group, rich in sulfur. Its name derived from the Persian word "azul ", which is translated into Russian as "heaven","blue". Lapis lazuli looks best in bright natural light. It fits perfectly with silver, which together they look very organic.
Products from the "sky stone" were foundat the excavation of Troy. There is an opinion that it was from this mineral that the tables were made with the Mosaic laws cut out on them. Jewelry from it was often found in the palaces of Byzantine and Chinese rulers.
Lapis lazuli - the stone of translucentdark azure or dark blue saturated color, less common minerals are purple-blue. There are stones of almost all shades of blue: from blue to almost purple. The brighter the color, the more precious the mineral. It has a glassy sheen, quite brittle. There are deposits of this mineral in Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Myanmar, Angola, Canada, Chile, Italy, USA. You can find stones in the mountains, at high altitude. The most famous and ancient mines are in Afghanistan, where they extracted lapis lazuli more than nine thousand years ago.
Jewelry made of lapis lazuli is made withancient times. This stone is highly valued, it is widely used for the manufacture of brooches, decorative buttons, pins, finger-prints, round beads for necklaces, bracelets, inlay materials. Lapis lazuli is also used in interior design. From it, the bowls, vases, vases, caskets, etc. are milled.
The most beautiful products from this mineral are in Tsarskoye Selo (Catherine Palace) and St. Isaac's Cathedral of St. Petersburg.
The most valuable species that lapis lazuli has is a stoneuniform dark blue color, without white impregnations of calcite, with sprouts of glistening copper-yellow pyrite. Such stones are mined in Russia, Chile and Afghanistan.
Astrologers say that the most complete propertylapis lazuli are revealed if this stone is worn by people who were born under the sign of Libra or Sagittarius. For other people, the effect of lapis lazuli will be less noticeable. Cancers and Capricorns, it is believed, this stone should not be worn at all.
Lapis lazuli is a stone that is rather reluctantit can be processed, it is often met with crystalline solid sprouts, so sometimes it gives uneven breaks. Processed lazurite in two ways: cabochon or plates. To make jewelry, cabochons are used, and plates are used in inlays, facing fireplaces, for creating mosaics.
Of the crushed lapis lazuli, ultramarine pigment is made, which does not burn out in the sun. Egyptian pharaohs bequeathed to use such colors in the decoration of their tombs, equating lapis lazuli to gold.
In ancient times, the "heavenly stone" was endowed withmagical properties. In India, it was believed that with its help you can purify the aura from the negative. Europeans still believe that having lapis lazuli with you, you can make any dreams come true. This stone can not only fulfill wishes, but also strengthen friendship, add sincerity to human relationships. It is also absolutely necessary for everyone who decided to change the course of their lives radically, starting everything from a new page.
Lazurite is also used for medicinal purposes.It helps to get rid of migraine, hypertension, insomnia, improve blood circulation. Modern studies have confirmed that the mineral has a good effect on the composition of the blood, relieves rheumatic attacks, pain. Therefore, jewelry with lapis lazuli is also a good medicine. They can be presented as symbolic gifts to people who want to wish to be both beautiful and healthy.