Jewelry Birthstones Wizard
“How to Buy Birthstones Like a Pro” by padre art
Lapis Lazuli
by: padre art
Lapis Lazuli gems are of historic (and prehistoric) eminence. In ancient times this opaque, royal blue gem that frequently shows white calcite inclusions, or often the shiny ‘fools gold’ glitter of pyrite, was called Sappir or Sapphirius.
This brilliantly colored, soft (Mohs-5) gem was a natural early-choice as an amulet, talisman or signet carving material and has been held precious and even sacred (with associations to The Goddess) since before history emerges from the mists of time.
The dynastic Egyptians used Lapis Lazuli as a talisman by carving a chapter from the Book of the Dead on it, as an ingredient in cosmetics and even in eye-medicine.
In early Biblical references to the ‘Sappirius’ stone that held the Ten Commandments and to ‘Sapir’ as a stone of the High Priests Breastplate, the gem implied was almost certainly Lapis Lazuli.
The switch from the rich, soft, royal Earth Mother blue of Lapis Lazuli gems to the transparent, Sky-Father blue of the very hard corundum Sapphire came about roughly the same time the Catholics replaced the Pagans as the most widely influential religion in the Mediterranean and European regions dominated by the Roman Empire.
In his 1861 treatise detailing occult techniques, “Rituel de la Haute Magie” , Eliphas Levi stresses that;
When worn in a bit of jewelry the Lapis Lazuli is said to exert a tonic effect that cures melancholy and the quatrain fever. When given as a gift, it protects the wearer from the evil spirits of darkness while at the same time it encourages the favor of the powers of light.
Lapis Lazuli gems, the perfect choice for unique jewelry gifts involving ‘Works of Love’ and all the magic that an intimate gift of jewellery can bring to a budding or established relationship.
Lapis Lazuli Gems
