| Lapis lazuli choker set code JL100 |
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| Lapis lazuli necklace £9.99 JL110 |
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| Lapis lazuli necklace set £5.99 JL120 |
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| Lapis lazuli ring JL201 |
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| Lapis lazuli and shell ring JL202 |
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| Lapis and shell shell jewellery set JL210 |
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Should you have any enquiries about any of these items of amethyst jewellery please by e-mail.
Lapis lazuli is different from the majority of gemstones in that it is classified as a rock whereas jade, rose quartz, tigers eye e.t.c are classed as minerals. This is because lapis lazuli is a mixture of several minerals. The principle minerals that make up lapis lazuli are calcite, sodalite, hauyne (really a variation of sodalite) and lazurite. The names lapis lazuli and lazurite are to some extent used interchangeably, though this is technically wrong since lapis lazuli is a compound of different minerals and lazurite is a single mineral. Lazurite is found in this purer state but is usually marketed as lapis lazuli. Lazurite should not be confused with the very similarly named lazulite which is a different blue mineral.
One of the attractive features of lapis lazuli is the frequent inclusion of pyrites in its make up. From ancient times these metallic specks have been mistaken for gold particles. In the Bible there is a reference to lapis lazuli the Book of Job as “having dust of gold”, while the Roman historian Pliny recorded that lapis lazuli was “refulgent with spots of gold”.
Lapis lazuli has been valued for its beautiful colour for thousands of years. There is evidence that the lapis lazuli mines visited by Marco Polo in Afghanistan in 1271 have been mined for six thousand years. Jewellery featuring lapis lazuli was found in the treasure of Tutankhamen. Inlaid lapis lazuli was a feature of the royal furniture found in the pharaohs’ tomb.
Not only was lapis lazuli an ancient favourite for jewellery whether as large stones for rings and brooches or as smaller stone beads for necklaces and bracelets but slab like pieces of lapis lazuli have commonly been used for inlay decoration. From the death mask of Tutankarmen to the palaces of the Russian czars, where Catherine the second had one rooms walls completely covered in slabs of lapis lazuli and amber. From altar pieces in churches from Spain, Italy and Russia to wooden boxes and clock cases. Lapis lazuli has been a favourite stone for inlay work in jewellery and ornamental pieces.
Larger pieces of lapis lazuli have been carved as vases and bowls while at one time the signets of seals were often made from lapis lazuli. Perhaps more prosaically lapis lazuli has been used for decorative handles on cutlery. Though now large pieces of lapis lazuli are rare and so larger pieces are uncommon lapis lazuli necklaces and bracelets made of small lapis lazuli beads remain popular.
An interesting non-jewellery use of lapis lazuli was in the making artists paint. The colour ultramarine used finely powdered lapis lazuli. The fine deep blue seen in older masterpieces is due to the lapis lazuli in the paint. Ultramarine was a very expensive paint to make and now days a synthetic substitute is used.
While lapis lazuli is a common stone in jewellery such as necklaces, bracelets, rings and brooches, lazurite (one of the principle components of lapis lazuli) is rarely used for jewellery. This is partly due to the scarcity of lazurite compared to lapis lazuli.
The name lapis lazuli is Latin for blue stone. However lazuli is derived from the Arabic word azul meaning blue.