The extremely luxurious gemstone
overview
- Naming : Lapis lazuli is made up of the two Latin words lapis (stone) and lazulum (blue). Lazulum in turn comes from the Persian word lazhward , which means a sky blue color. Alternative names are lapis, lapis lazuli, oriental blue or Pierre d'azur.
- Mineral group: The main component of lapis lazuli is lazurite, which makes up 25 to 40% of the total. It also contains numerous other minerals, such as calcite, diopside and augite. Because of its various components, the gemstone is also classified as a rock.
- Color: What characterizes a high-quality lapis lazuli is the most balanced color distribution possible - however, the majority of these gemstones have a striped or spotted surface.
- Cut : The sparkle of lapis lazuli is particularly evident in the cabochon cut or as a pearl cut.
- Special feature : Small golden pyrite spots make the gemstone sparkle.
Quality factors
Color
The most sought-after lapis lazuli gemstone is in a dark blue to violet-blue color – with the most balanced color distribution possible.
carat
The carat number, color, shape and type of cut play a decisive role in determining the value of a gemstone. The carat number (ct) indicates the weight of a gemstone. One carat weighs 0.2 grams.
purity
High quality lapis lazuli often has small gold-colored pyrite spots.
cut
The lapis lazuli gemstone is often processed into a cabochon cut or pearls.
Lapis lazuli and its amazingly long history
Lapis lazuli is one of the first gemstones used to make jewelry. There is no agreement as to how old the earliest finds can be dated - up to 50,000 years are being discussed. What is certain, however, is that the gemstone was already valued in ancient Egypt. Tutankhamun's death mask is set with lapis lazuli gemstones, among other things, and a lapis lazuli scarab was found in the young king's burial chamber. Its high status is expressed by the fact that it was associated with the high goddess Isis. It even has a high significance in the Bible, as it is said to have decorated the breastplate of the high priest Aaron. Around 3,000 BC, it was traded via the Lapis Lazuli Road, which stretched from Egypt through Mesopotamia to northern Afghanistan. Lapis lazuli was also very popular in Mesopotamia, where it was found in large quantities in royal tombs. Lapis lazuli necklaces have been handed down from Greek and Roman cultures.
Special lapis lazuli
One of the most famous uses of lapis lazuli is on the mummy mask of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun (1324 BC).
Special occasions
wedding anniversary
A lapis lazuli is often given as a gift for the 9th anniversary.
occurrence of lapis lazuli
The most important lapis lazuli deposits are located in the Hindu Kush mountains in Central Asia. The gemstone has also been found near Lake Baikal in Russia, near Santiago in Chile, in California, Canada, Myanmar and Pakistan.
jewelry with lapis lazuli
If you would like lapis lazuli jewelry such as a lapis lazuli ring or a loose gemstone, then contact the RENÉSIM service team. We will be happy to advise you in your search for a beautiful gemstone of good quality. Do not hesitate to contact us without obligation.
Lapis lazuli selection at RENÉSIM
At RENÉSIM you will receive selected, high-quality gemstones. You can buy them loose or have them set in a unique piece of jewelry.
Further articles
Another extremely valuable blue gemstone is the sapphire, the "gem of heaven".
To the Gemstone Lexicon – Sapphire
Lapis lazuli is made up of various gemstones. One of them is green diopside.
To the Gemstone Lexicon – DiopsideBuy gemstones
jewelry collections
Gemstones in the Lexicon
Optical effects
