Lapis lazuli jewelry can be worn as an alternate birthstone
for the month of September. The gem, also know simply as lapis, is actually a
rock composed of the minerals lazurite, pyrite, calcite and members of the
sodalite group. The intensely blue gemstone gets its name from the Arabic
allazward meaning sky or blue. Lapis lazuli has long been used in forms other
than jewelry. Ancient Egyptians are know to have used the powdered form as
pigment in medicines, cosmetics and paintings. Afghanistan is the major source
for this gemstone and it is believed to have been mined there for over 6000
years.
The finest lapis lazuli jewelry is made using gemstones that
are solid deep blue without white calcite spots and just a sprinkling of
brassy yellow pyrite. The luster of lapis is often dull to greasy, though it
is often polished with paraffin wax. Often, lapis lazuli jewelry is made using
specimens that are cabochons in various shapes, polished beads or polished
pebbles that have a very natural look.
Moh's scale of hardness is 5-6 for lapis lazuli. It is a
fairly tough stone, though it is not recommended to steam-clean or clean using
gem cleaner. It is recommended that a polishing cloth be used to maintain the
brilliance of your lapis lazuli jewelry.
