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Lapis Lazuli Stone
Chemical Formula: (Na, Ca)8Al6Si6O24(S, SO4)
Mineral Name: Lazurite
Color: Varying shades of blue
Hardness: 5.5
Specific Gravity: 2.4 - 2.9
Lapis lazuli is an opaque to translucent blue, violet-blue, or greenish-blue semi precious gemstone composed mainly of lazurite and calcite. It is often dyed to deepen and improve its color and contains the minerals calcite (which decreases its value), pyrite (which can increase its value), and sodalite. The rich blue color is due to the sulfur inherent in the structure of lazurite. Lazurite is resistant to atmospheric gases, is lightfast and possesses good hiding power. It is durable with all other permanent pigments.
Lapis Lazuli is said to cleanse the mental body while releasing old karmic patterns. Being a spiritual stone, it allows spiritual energy to be absorbed in the aura. Lazurite is currently extracted from two regions of the former Soviet Union: Malobystrinskoye deposit of the south Baikal region, and the Lyadzhvardarinskoye deposit in the southwestern Pamirs Mountains. Other significant deposits of lazurite are found at Ovalle, Cordillera, Chile; Mt. Vesuvius, Italy; Cascade Canyon, San Bernardino Mountains and Ontario Peak, California, Colorado, U.S.A.
