LAPIS

Called the 'stone of rulers' in ancient kingdoms, lapis lazuli was forbidden to commoners, and worn only by royalty. Used for millennia by the Egyptians, there are examples of lapis scarabs, pendants and beads that date back to around 3100BC.

SHOP LAPIS JEWELLERY

DID YOU KNOW

'Called the 'stone of rulers,' in ancient kingdoms like Sumer and Egypt, lapis was forbidden to commoners, and worn only by royalty.
Made up of several different minerals, examples vary from greenish-blue to purple blue, but it is the intensely dark blue with patches of white calcite and flickering pyrite that are deemed the best quality.
Its name came in to use in Europe during the middle ages, and originates from the Persian wordlazhuward meaning 'blue', the Arabic wordlazaward, meaning 'heaven' or 'sky', and the Latinlapis meaning 'stone'.

LAPIS RINGS

LAPIS NECKLACES

LAPIS BRACELETS

LAPIS: A BRIEF HISTORY

Used for millennia by the Egyptians, there are examples of scarabs, pendants and beads that date back from around 3100BC, and a stunning example in Tutankhamun's mask.
Powdered lapis was used as cosmetics, pigment and medicine; as a pigment, it was used until 1834 when it became possible to manufacture the colour (known as 'ultramarine' meaning "from beyond the seas") artificially.
It was considered very rare until large numbers were found in the Badakhshan mines in Afghanistan, in the 1990s.
Much like lapis mining in Afghanistan, the lapis mines in the Chilean Andes are at an altitude of up to 14,000 feet and can only be worked during the summer months due to the extreme weather and altitude conditions.

MEANING BEHIND THE STONE

It was an ancient belief that it protected the wearer from the evil eye – possibly as it resembles the night's sky, where it was believed God resided.
To Buddhists of antiquity it brought peace of mind and equanimity, and dispelled evil thoughts, and as such it was a popular choice for Buddha carvings.
Lapis lazuli is thought to enhance one's awareness, insight and intellect. It is said to impart ancient knowledge and wisdom to its bearer, the knowledge bringing with it peacefulness, objectivity and self-acceptance.

SHOP THE RANGE

SOURCED FROM

Afghanistan
Argentina
Canada
Chile
Italy
Mongolia

Lapis Lazuli pendant and earrings in gold

Bravery, Power & Creativity

SHOP LAPIS JEWELLERY

SHOP OUR GEMSTONES

DISCOVER MORE GEMSTONES

Full width section

This is body copy. Lorum ipsum pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Vestibulum tortor quam, feugiat vitae, ultricies this is an inline link eget, tempor sit amet ante. Donec eu libero sit amet quam egestas semper. Aenean ultricies mi vitae est. Mauris placerat eleifend leo. Quisque sit amet est et sapien ullamcorper pharetra. Vestibulum erat wisi, condimentum sed, commodo vitae, ornare sit amet, wisi. Aenean fermentum, elit eros ipsum rutrum orci, sagittis tempus lacus enim ac dui. Donec non enim in turpis pulvinar facilisis. Ut felis.

Full width section (smaller contained text)

This row has a class full-width-contained-small to make the contained text a smaller width. Lorum ipsum pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Vestibulum tortor quam, feugiat vitae, ultricies this is an inline link eget, tempor sit amet ante. Donec eu libero sit amet quam egestas semper. Aenean ultricies mi vitae est. Mauris placerat eleifend leo. Quisque sit amet est et sapien ullamcorper pharetra. Vestibulum erat wisi, condimentum sed, commodo vitae, ornare sit amet, wisi. Aenean fermentum, elit eros ipsum rutrum orci, sagittis tempus lacus enim ac dui. Donec non enim in turpis pulvinar facilisis. Ut felis.