Lapis Lazuli Stone Meanings

Can you benefit from Lapis gemstones?

You may benefit from Lapis Lazuli crystals if you can relate to any of the following:

• You want to achieve a sense of overall peace

• You love meditation, mindfulness, and spirituality

• You believe in the power of the Universe for your manifestations

• You are attracted to a royal blue color

• You are mesmerized by the night sky

• You seek to balance your Third Eye and Throat chakras

• You need to boost your trust in yourself

• You want to be the calm eye in the center of a storm

• You enjoy peeking into your past lives

Find your perfect pieces in the Satin Crystals Lapis Lazuli Collection.

What is the spiritual meaning of Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli is all about bringing deep peace. This enchanting blue stone activates the Third Eye chakra. It taps into your intuition and guides you on your spiritual endeavors.

Here are the highlights of Lapis Lazuli's metaphysical offerings:

• Lapis brings deep peace, wisdom, and heavenly contemplation

• Lapis helps you accept and appreciate your life on earth

• Lapis is a harmonious stone, soothing relations between friends and family

• Lapis reminds you to call on your intuition and listen to your inner voice

• The Pyrite embedded in Lapis protects you while doing spiritual work

How is Lapis Lazuli used?

Lapis is popularly used for home decorations, jewelry, and crystal healing. It is good for connecting with the spiritual realm and bringing peace into your surroundings. 

Here are some ways you can use Lapis stones in your healing practice: 

• Place Lapis stones over the Third eye chakra for mental clarity and objectivity

• Rub on temples and head to mitigate migraines and dizziness

• Massage Lapis wands over your back for relaxation

• Drink a Lapis gem elixir for balance (use the indirect method of making elixirs)

• Hold a Lapis sphere while meditating

• Squeeze two Lapis palm stones when you are feeling stressed out

• Dowse with a Lapis pendulum to access your subconscious mind

• Place Lapis gemstone eggs as calming centerpieces 

• Place Lapis carvings and polished chunks at the entrance of your space to elevate your vibrations

• Have Lapis Lazuli in your Travel and Spirituality Bagua area according to your Feng Shui energy map

• Wear Lapis jewelry or have it under your pillow for a good night's sleep

Note: Lapis is sensitive to strong pressure and high temperatures, so keep it out of hot water and avoid pressing on it. Lapis chips and scratches easily.

How do you care for Lapis Lazuli?

Physically, Lapis Lazuli can be cleansed under running water. Preferably, use a soft cloth to wipe it instead. If your Lapis has a lot of Calcite inclusions, this could eventually disintegrate in prolonged water. 

When in doubt, use a soft cloth or soft brush, depending on your piece. Either way, make sure your stone is completely dry before storage.

Store Lapis Lazuli away from items harder than a 5.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness to avoid scratches. Avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, so you don't break your stone. 

For energetic cleansing, you want to be careful with the salt method so as not to scratch the surface of polished Lapis pieces. 

To learn how to energetically clean, charge, and program your Lapis Lazuli, visit our Crystal Care tutorial.

Watch the Lapis Lazuli Meaning Video

Want to watch the highlights of Lapis Lazuli? Click to watch the Lapis Lazuli video and get your top 5 questions on this royal blue crystal answered. You will also get to see many examples of the different shades and shapes of Lapis. 

This is a part of our A-Z Satin Crystals Meanings video series, where we answer your most pressing questions on all of the most popular crystals.

You can also add your questions and stories directly to the YouTube video's comments, and we will answer you there. 

Is Lapis Lazuli a protection stone?

As you read, Lapis Lazuli is all about spirituality and the Third Eye chakra. It is also a stone of protection when you are working in these realms. The Pyrite within Lapis boosts this peaceful stone with a protective shield. 

Hold on to a Lapis Lazuli stone when you are meditating, astral traveling, having psychic readings, practicing Reiki, and doing other energy-healing work to keep yourself protected from unwanted energies.

When doing spiritual work, you open yourself up to a whole universe of possibilities. Unfortunately, all of the energies are not on your side. Program a Lapis Lazuli stone for the specific intention of spiritual protection, and rest easy as you go on your metaphysical journeys. 

Can I sleep with Lapis Lazuli?

You can indeed sleep with Lapis Lazuli to induce a peaceful rest. Program the stone with your sleeping intentions and place it under your pillow, at your bedstand, or wear Lapis jewelry.

You could even place Lapis gemstones under your bed. Grid the four corners of your bed to create a Lapis energy net. With Lapis' power to bring deep peace to your bedroom, you feel as though you are sleeping on a cloud without a care in the world. 

Divination with Lapis

Drawing Lapis Lazuli in a gemstone divination session means: 

You are in a dilemma whether to confront a problem head-on or let it pass. Use Lapis to clarify your situation.

It is always best to speak your truth, whether you say it upfront or accept it within yourself. As long as you can come to terms with the resolution to your current problem, your mind will be at peace. 

Magical Incantation of Lapis

This is a message from Lapis Lazuli from Doreen Virtue and Judith Lukomski's book "Crystal Therapy":

"Clan member, I call on you to rise and speak the truth. Can you hear the echoing voices of the past? Ask for guidance, and you'll be given wisdom. Accept your mission, speak out, and remove fear, replacing it with knowledge as your voice is lifted unto Heaven. I share with you the royal legacy of the kings and queens who favored my brilliant blue a sign of power, for your words are mighty. Use me to teach by word and deed; serve as healer to those who haven't found their voice, and bless those who have. Know that you are protected, and go forth."

What role did Lapis Lazuli play in history?

Lapis Lazuli has played a rich role in mankind's history for thousands of years. Here are some fun historical facts about Lapis: 

• Ancient references to Sapphire were referring to Lapis Lazuli

• Powdered Lapis was used as the first eye shadow and mixed with oil to form a blue paint

• In the Old Testament, the High Priest of Israel's vestments had Lapis Lazuli

• Famous Dutch painter Vermeer used pure Lapis Lazuli for his ultramarine paints

• Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt wore Lapis Lazuli pendants with carvings that depicted the Goddess of Truth

• In Ancient Mesopotamia, Lapis was carved into cylinders and inscribed with seals to roll onto wet clay that could double as necklaces

• Michelangelo used Lapis powder for his blue colors in the Sistine Chapel

• Egyptian healers used Lapis powder to prevent a variety of ailments and discomforts

• Lapis was used to carve astounding curiosities like this Ewer for royal collections around the world

Where is the best Lapis Lazuli found?

The best Lapis Lazuli comes from Afghanistan, where the mines have been worked for 6,000 years and are still producing beautiful blue stones. 

Lapis Lazuli is also found in Chile, Tajikistan, the USA, Burma, Argentina, Pakistan, Canada, Russia, Italy, and Egypt.

Is Lapis Lazuli a crystal?

Lapis Lazuli is technically a metamorphic rock because it incorporates different crystals to form. The main crystal in Lapis is Lazurite, and we derive the energetic benefits from this blue stone. Lapis Lazuli is considered a semi-precious gemstone. 

What are the mineral facts of Lapis Lazuli?

Take a look at Lapis Lazuli's scientific facts and educate yourself on the mineral's physical form:

• Chemical Formula: Variable depending on what minerals are making up your particular piece of Lapiz Lazuli

• Mohs Scale of Hardness: 5-6

• Surface Color: Blue

• Streak Color (can vary from surface color, this is the color of the crystals’ powdered minerals): Blue

• Group: Silicate

• Cleavage (where the crystal breaks off naturally to form a new face, parallel to its structure. This is a clean break and can cleave over and over again along the same face, retaining the crystals structure): Imperfect

• Fracture (where the crystal breaks randomly, not on cleavage): Conchoidal (concave, clam-like, glassy break) to Uneven

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy) to Dull

• Transparency: Translucent (light flows through but with obstructions) to Opaque (light does not go through)

• Crystal System: Cubic – Dodecahedral, but crystals are rare

• Crystal Habit: Massive & Compact, or Fine, Granular Aggregate

• Specific Gravity: 2.7-2.9

• Refractive Index: 1.5-1.67

• Tenacity: Brittle

• Radioactivity: Not radioactive

• Magnetic: No

How much is Lapis stone worth?

Lapis comes in a wide spectrum of grades. The pieces with more white Calcite and less intense blues are cheaper. The darker the blues and the more evenly spread the Pyrite inclusions, the more valuable the piece.

Real, non-dyed Lapis is a relatively expensive stone, but it is definitely worth the investment!

Here are trade names and grades of various Lapis stones as sourced from GIA:

• Persian or Afghan—Intense, uniform, medium-dark, slightly violetish blue. Contains little or no pyrite and no calcite

• Russian or Siberian—Various tones and intensities of blue. Contains pyrite and might contain some calcite

• Chilean—Often tinged or spotted with green, with obvious calcite matrix

Note: Although the grades are named after countries, the Lapis pieces themselves may not necessarily be from that country. 

How can you tell if Lapis is dyed?

Sometimes, Lapis Lazuli is real, but of poor quality, so it is dyed to increase its value. If the coloring bleeds out into water or acetone, you know the stone is dyed.

We did our own test with two strands of beads that were both advertised as genuine Lapis. The first strand immediately bled blue into the bowl of acetone nail polish remover. It kept turning fresh batches of clear acetone blue. Will it ever end?!

The second strand of beads did not turn the acetone blue. The polish of the beads also remained glossy. 

Does Lapis Lazuli stain skin?

Natural, untreated Lapis Lazuli does not stain the skin. Dyed Lapis Lazuli will stain the skin if it is a poor dye job. This will also depend on the conditions of the atmosphere and the skin. 

How can you tell fake Lapis Lazuli?

Because Lapis Lazuli is a valuable stone, you see a lot of fake versions on the market. Here are a few ways to tell:

1. Genuine Lapis Lazuli is priced accordingly. The darker quality stones command a higher price. You can weed out a big portion of fakes by avoiding the ones that are priced too-good-to-be-true. 

2. The blue of the gemstone should be a deep color. Only the top-tier Lapis Lazuli is deep blue without inclusions and the price would match accordingly. 

3. Sometimes other stones like Howlite, Sodalite, or Calcite are dyed to look like Lapis. Some of these dye jobs have gotten so good that they won't rub off. However, you can test the hardness of the stone. Lapis is a 5.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, so it won't be scratched by glass, but it will be scratched with a metal knife. 

4. The Pyrite in the stone should look natural and random. Fake Pyrite inclusions will look too uniform and too perfect because it is mad-made. 

Lapis versus Sodalite

Lapis and Sodalite are often confused, especially for beginners. Once you familiarize yourself with the two stones, you come to see that Sodalite has a more indigo tone, while Lapis' color is known as ultramarine blue. Sodalite also does not show the gold Pyrite flecks that Lapis is famous for. 

Does Lapis Lazuli smell bad?

Lapis Lazuli does not smell bad unless you cut into it. Cutting into fresh Lapis emits and oxidizes its Sulfur content, and for anyone who knows what Sulfur smells like, it is bad! 

Lisa's personal experience with Lapis Lazuli

I am attracted to Lapis Lazuli because of its rich navy colors and intense intuitive powers. My favorite Lapis is the type that boasts a bold blue color that is fully loaded with striking golden Pyrite. I have been fortunate to be able to find one of the best quality varieties out there, which we call Royal Afghan Lapis. It outdoes its partners in impressive looks and depth of healing (in my opinion, at least!).

There aren't too many natural stones that correspond with the navy Third Eye Chakra. Lapis is the obvious pick for when I want to "see" into the spiritual realm, not just feel it through my Crown Chakra. While some people have natural clairvoyant abilities and can see the spirit realm on their own, others like me need the power of Lapis to help.

It's a stone for visionaries. At times when I have doubts about my path, I grab onto my Lapis polished palm stones and gaze into my blue Lapis sphere.

The stone of "Total Awareness" helps me think beyond my everyday circumstances and see the vast picture. It's from this expanded perspective that I gain wisdom and understanding.

Lapis is also a spiritually calming crystal, which is why my hand-carved Lapis Buddha sits in the windowsill to spread serenity in my home office.

Sheila's personal experience with Lapis Lazuli

You may know from reading about my other crystal experiences that I'm all about bold colors, and Lapis's ultramarine blue fits the bill! It's especially impressive with the golden Pyrite inclusions looking like a starry night and the white Calcite streaks looking like the magical Milky Way. Gazing into this stone gives me a warm feeling of unlimited possibilities and new hope. 

Besides its spiritual energies, I had an eye-opening experience when my husband bought some Lapis beads online, which said they were real. As you now know from reading about fake Lapis, that could still mean that it is dyed. To my experienced eye, the strand of beads looked dyed, but I could not be sure until we tested it. 

He soaked the strand in a bowl of acetone nail polish remover, and it started to bleed blue right away! He was disappointed and went back online to find a strand that was advertised as not dyed.

This new strand arrived a week later, and we did the same test. This time, the strand did not bleed at all. Plus, the polish on the beads remained glossy, something which we were not sure about when placing them in acetone. 

Shopping for Lapis Lazuli Jewelry

Lapis Lazuli is found in a lot of deluxe jewelry pieces, from rings to pendants to necklaces. One of our most popular Lapis Lazuli jewels at Satin Crystals is the stretch bracelet strung with impressive round beads. It feels cool and smooth and substantial on the wrist and is adored by both men and women. 

A relatively soft stone, Lapis is easily scratched in jewelry form. If you have a polished piece you love to wear, except that it won't be in perfect condition over time. But, every ding and scar adds to its natural charm and memorializes your history together. 

Lapis Lazuli is set in a lot of jewelry pieces and has been on display since ancient times. Today, you can find all qualities of Lapis in the jewelry world. Some people prefer the deluxe deep blue, some people prefer the lighter Denim Lapis variety. We even have Lapis Lazuli set in spent bullet casings to symbolize your position of peacekeeper!

Whatever you are into, Lapis has a shade, design, and pattern just for you. 

Shopping for Lapis Lazuli Stones

Lapis Lazuli is a deluxe addition to your stone collection. Shop the Lapis Lazuli Collection on the website or here on the blog:

Is Lapis Lazuli a Birthstone?

You find many conflicting dates for Lapis being a birthstone. At Satin Crystals, we use this gemstone for the zodiac signs Aquarius and Taurus. However, the most important aspect of using Lapis is that it resonates with you. 

Lapis Lazuli is also officially gifted on the 9th wedding anniversary, but we're sure your spouse would love to receive this deluxe stone every year!

Are you attracted to Lapis?

Do you have some stories to tell about your own Lapis Lazuli experiences? We would love to hear about it. 

You can email us directly or reach out in the contact box and either Lisa or Sheila will reply to you soon.

Continue the Crystal Journey

Are you ready to boost your energy with Lapis Lazuli?

Lapis Lazuli Shopping Guides

• Lapis Lazuli Stone Showcase

• Lapis Lazuli Jewelry Showcase

• Shop the Lapis Jewelry Collection

• Shop the Lapis Stone Collection

Lapis Lazuli Reference Guides

• 12 Lapis Lazuli Affirmations

• How to use Lapis for Serenity

• How to use Lapis to open the Third Eye

• Guided Lapis Lazuli Meditation

• Video on Lapis Lazuli Meanings

Helpful Crystal Resources

• A-Z list Crystal Meanings

• Join the Satin Crystals VIP Club

Contact Satin Crystals

Still have questions about Lapis Lazuli? Looking for the perfect piece? Feel free to contact us by filling out the form below, and Sheila or Lisa Satin will get back to you. 

Disclaimer: The information provided is for entertainment only. See full disclosure.