Origin-: A.Boetus de Boodt, 1636, Gemm Lapid hist. t page 273. It is said to be derived from the latin word “Lapis” the persian “Lazhward”, meaning Blue.

Colour-: Royal Blue with gold flecks of pyrite

Hardness-: 5.5 on the Mohs scale.

Birthstone-:  September and December (Ancient)

Zodiac sign-:  Aquarius, Taurus(Ancient)

Occurrence-: Lapis lazuli can be found in Chile, The Soviet Union, The United State, but most significantly from mountains of Afghanistan. Lapis rough are also mined in Angola, Mongolia, California, Canada, Burma and Pakistan.

Metaphysical Properties-:

• Stone of protection.
• Lapis lazuli quickly releases stress bringing deep peace.
• It brings harmony and deep inner self-knowledge.
• Encourages  self-awareness and loss self-expression and reveals in a truth providing qualities of honesty and compassion.
• Lapis lazuli inspires confidence.
• It bonds relationships aiding in expression of feelings and emotions.
• It boosts the immune system, purifies blood, lowers blood pressure, cooling and soothing areas of inflammation.
• It alleviates insomnia vertigo and overcomes depression.
• Lapis lazuli benefits the respiratory and nervous system and the throat vocal cords and thyroid, cleanses  organs, bone marrow and thymus.

 Treatments-:

• These are dying, waxing, oiling and plastic impregnation that gives it a polished look.
• Dying enhances the colour of the gem temporarily. The colour can actually come off when the gem is rubbed with a nail polish remover.
• The effect caused by waxing and oiling treatment can deteriorate when the gem is exposed to heat or sunlight.
• It is always advisable to get the gem tested from any reputed  gemological laboratory before actually making the purchase.